Racial and Ethnic Socialization (RES)
Racism, racial bias and racial discrimination affect children, yielding disparities in educational experiences, discipline, developmental outcomes and overall health and well-being. Many parents wonder what to do in order to help their children to process negative experiences and to develop strong identities and resilience despite these experiences.
RES is a process through which parents influence “children's racial identity and self-concept, beliefs about the way the world works, and repertoire of strategies and skills for coping with and navigating racism and inter- and intra-racial relationships and interactions.” (From Resilience in African-American Children and Adolescents: A Vision for Optimal Development .)
APA Introduces the RESilience Initiative
The RESilience Initiative will provide resources to parents and others to assist them in promoting strength, health and well-being among youth of color. Positive racial identities serve as protective factors and bolster resilience.
Highlighted Parent Resources
Research shows that talking to children about race and engaging in related activities when children are young improves academic performance, racial pride, and other outcomes. It is never too early to engage in direct and indirect communication about race and ethnicity.
What is race?
Race is a social construct that categorizes people based on their physical appearance.
What is ethnicity?
Ethnicity is a category of people who identify with each other based on shared ancestry, cultural, social and national experiences.
What is the difference between race and ethnicity?
Race is based on phenotype whereas ethnicity is based on norms and customs.
Should I be discussing race and ethnicity with my child?
Yes. Research shows that there are more positive outcomes associated with children who have talked about race. Additionally, teaching children about their history and community can buffer negative messages encountered at school, in the media, etc.
At what age should I start communicating about race and ethnicity with my child?
Research shows that talking to children about race and engaging in related activities when children are young improves academic performance, racial pride and other outcomes. It is never too early to engage in direct and indirect communication about race and ethnicity.