Racial Bias as an Explanatory Factor for Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in Child Welfare

Abstract

Race continues to permeate all facets of the child welfare system and is especially problematic for children of color involved in this system. There has been an increased focus over the past decade on the disproportionate number of children of color in the child welfare system as well as their disparate treatment and outcomes. Several factors continue to be exposed in an attempt to explain racial disproportionality and disparities at each decision point in the child welfare system. One of these explanatory factors is racial bias. Racial biases can occur in the form of implicit biases and refer to stereotypes or attributes based on race that affect one’s understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconsciousness manner. Implicit and explicit biases can be equal contributors to discriminatory behavior. These biases often impact language, referrals, judgement, assessments, and recommendations for the disproportionate number of children in the child welfare system. The discourse in this chapter is focused on the extent and ramifications of racial bias as an explanatory factor for racial disproportionality and disparities in the child welfare system.