McGill University study highlights how to prepare children for a racially unequal society

A McGill University study highlights crucial messages parents of colour need to teach their children to prepare them for potential discrimination and prejudice. 

Prof. Keita Christophe is the lead author of the paper describing the study, recently published in the journal Developmental Psychology. The assistant professor of psychology at McGill University explains that ethnic and racial socialization is a very important process that consists of a set of conversations that parents from ethnic minority groups must have with their children. 

It’s about preparing children of colour, racialized children, for the existence of certain social inequalities to make them aware that discrimination exists and that they can experience it. 

For this study, Professor Christophe surveyed around 600 American families belonging to black, Latin American and Asian groups, then a system of algorithms brought out common and recurring discourses. 

The most important discourses that emerged focused on preparing for discrimination, pride in who they are, and building a strong identity to ensure the child’s well-being. These key elements will have positive effects on identity building and the management of problematic situations. 

Conversely, messages that instill distrust of other ethnic groups or minimize race (saying we shouldn’t see color) tend to be associated with negative effects on children. Fortunately, the scientist says, these messages are quite rare. 

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews

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