Most White Parents Don't Talk to Their Kids About Race

#perspective

Only 8 percent of parents report that they often discuss their socioeconomic class with their children, with another 25% sometimes talking about it. This leaves over 60 percent of parents rarely or never discussing race/ethnicity or social class with their children.

Research shows that many white parents avoid discussing race with their children. After George Floyd’s murder, Black parents engaged in more conversations about race, while white parents remained largely unchanged or even delivered colorblind messages to their kids.

These discussions are crucial for teaching children how to combat racism and fostering a more just society. As white parents, we have an obligation to put in the work and support a structural understanding of racial disparities and racism.