McGill University study asks parents of colour to teach their kids about racial discrimination

Parents of colour need to prepare their children for potential discrimination and prejudice, according to a McGill University study.

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

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Lead author of the paper, Professor Keita Christophe, explains that ethnic and racial socialization is a very important subject parents from ethnic minority groups must have with their children.

“We just want to open this conversation so that kids can preempt these negative things and react in more adaptive ways,” explained Christophe.

“Parents get really in their own heads or worried about having their kids be too concerned about being bullied or being discriminated against so they choose to say nothing but by saying nothing the kids aren’t being aware that this might happen to them and then they’re not having conversations to help equip them with tools.”

Christophe surveyed around 600 American families of Black, Latin American, and Asian origins – as Montreal-based research is ongoing – focusing on preparing racialized children on certain social inequalities that they may experience.

“Given that discrimination is so harmful these parents having these conversations is one way to promote well-being and resilience and maybe make discrimination hurt a little bit less,” Christophe explained.

Key messages include educating children on cultural pride, celebrating diversity of people, and on discrimination. Joel DeBellefeuille, of Quebec anti-racism lobby group, Red Coalition, speaks on his experience as a parent.

“Be honest with them, it’s a difficult conversation, it’s not like you can’t get it perfect,” said DeBellefeuille. “For a parent to initiate that conversation with their child at a young age is extremely important, education is key.”

DeBellefeuille noted current outside factors, like social media, are influencing youth surrounding the subject.

“99 per cent of these kids do not understand what they’re saying, they don’t understand the ramifications of insulting one another and that’s all sorts of insults but because we’re specifically talking about race and discrimination they have no idea.”

Christophe says a potential goal is to implement programs and bring more awareness to Montreal schools. 

He says parents struggle with these conversations and often face barriers, despite wanting the best for their children.

“Having that conversation and it not going well doesn’t mean that you’ve ruined your opportunity,” he said. “Have it again, have it differently, rely on other people, popular media things like that to facilitate those conversations and I think there are a lot of benefits for kids that happen from having those conversations.”