Black parents who experience racism in their daily lives may feel more confident discussing race and discrimination with their children, according to new research from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
About 75% of Black adults in the U.S. report facing some form of racial discrimination, according to the Pew Research Center. The study suggests that these experiences influence how parents approach conversations about race and racism with their children.
Titled “Navigating Racial Stress: How Black Mothers’ and Fathers’ Trauma Shapes Confidence in Talking About Racism,” the study was published in the Journal of Black Psychology. It was led by Sheretta T. Butler-Barnes, a Dean’s Distinguished Professorial Scholar and professor at the Brown School.
Researchers surveyed 681 Black parents, 385 mothers and 296 fathers, to examine how everyday experiences with racism and racial trauma affect parents’ confidence, or “racial socialization competency,” in discussing race-related issues with their children.
The findings reveal that because Black parents often experience racism as a common, everyday stressor, these experiences made them feel more confident talking to their children about race-related issues. For Black fathers, those who faced more racism, but reported less racial trauma were the most confident in having these conversations with their children.
The study underscores how racism and racial trauma shape the ways Black parents prepare their children to navigate a biased society. Confidence, the researchers noted, reflects self-efficacy, or a sense of one’s ability to engage in these discussions, which can influence motivation in racial socialization messaging.
“Race-related experiences matter—they shape how parents develop confidence and skill in discussing race with their children,” the authors wrote. Dr. Butler-Barnes states, “Conversations about racism are essential for helping parents educate their children and foster a more inclusive society. However, it is equally important to understand how Black parents’ own racialized experiences influence these discussions, recognizing that Black families are not a monolith and that the impact of racism varies across families.”
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation. Other authors include Seanna Leath (associate professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences); Bridget L. Cheeks (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro); JaNiene Peoples (PhD ’25); Ivy Smith (PhD student); Emani Sargent (PhD ’25); SynClaire Arthur (PhD student) and Khrystal Johnson (PhD student).