Black Families Research Articles

Are Child Welfare Practices Black and White? Permanency Professionals’ Perceptions of the Role of Race in Permanency for Black Children and Families

Are Child Welfare Practices Black and White? Permanency Professionals’ Perceptions of the Role of Race in Permanency for Black Children and Families

“I would be so proud of you guys and myself:” Exploring guided play learning interactions among Black caregivers and their children within a Black history home learning intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic

Existing literature on Black caregiver’s interactions with their children has overwhelmingly focused on parenting deficits and interventions designed to “fix” Black families. In utilizing the BlackCreate framework (2023), this study explores how Black caregivers intentionally crafted learning spaces for their children within the context of a six month intervention. Brilliant Joy in a Box was a six-month intervention developed in partnership with a Black woman entrepreneur that delivered caregiver-child Black history home learning boxes to families during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of addressing the impacts of persistent historical educational inequities for Black youth, the disproportionate impact of the pandemic Black families, and requests from community members seeking additional programming during the winter months. In the current study, we analyzed videos of 77 families interacting during a guided play activity. We found that the learning spaces created by Black families focused on four subject matters and their domains: literacy, scientific curiosity, math, and identity. We also found that Black caregivers organically utilized guided play to promote joyful interaction and learning. Findings underscore the importance of educators and school staff learning from families in order to reimagine learning and design community based interventions.

Poverty Status at Birth Predicts Epigenetic Changes at Age 15.

We used 15 years of follow up of 854 racially and ethnically diverse birth cohort who were followed from birth to age 15. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the effects of race/ethnicity, maternal education, and family structure on poverty at birth, as well as the effects of poverty at birth on epigenetic changes at age 15. We also explored variations by sex. Our findings indicate that Black and Latino families had lower maternal education and married family structure which in turn predicted poverty at birth. Poverty at birth then was predictive of epigenetic changes 15 years later when the index child was 15. This suggested that poverty at birth partially mediates the effects of race/ethnicity, maternal education, and family structure on epigenetic changes of youth at age 15. There was an effect of poverty status at birth on DNA methylation of male but not female youth at age 15. Thus, poverty at birth may have a more salient effect on long term epigenetic changes of male than female youth. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying the observed sex differences in the effects of poverty as a mechanism that connects race/ethnicity, maternal education, and family structure to epigenetic changes later in life.

Parent and Staff Insights to Understanding Challenges with Engaging Black Families in Early Childhood Programs

Parent and Staff Insights to Understanding Challenges with Engaging Black Families in Early Childhood Programs

Changes in protein expression in Acacia mearnsii De Wild (black wattle) as a result of exposure to frost-inducing temperatures

Acacia mearnsii De Wild (black wattle) is one of the most important forestry crops in South Africa. The bark of this species contains high-quality tannins, while its wood is used for wood chips, charcoal and mining timber. One of the main problems faced by black wattle farmers is frost damage, thus there is an urgent need to develop frost-tolerant black wattle varieties. A quick method for the screening of frost tolerance variation would be beneficial for black wattle breeders and would result in the need for fewer families to undergo field trials. Frost tolerance in plants is directly related to their ability to undergo cold acclimation in response to changing weather conditions. During the cold acclimation process, many physiological changes occur, including modifications in protein expression. In this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to investigate changes in protein expression among 40 black wattle families with varying levels of frost tolerance before and after a cold-stress treatment. The proteomic data generated from this was analysed using multivariate analysis. Six proteins were observed to be upregulated in frosttolerant black wattle families. The proteins were identified and have been previously shown to contribute to the protection of cellular membranes, maintenance of photosynthetic processes and the prevention of protein misfolding and aggregation.

Creating pedagogical possibilities through media representations of “the talk” in civics classrooms

Millions of people learn lessons about citizenship and belonging from the media they consume each day. In this study, we examined the knowledges about citizenship that are conveyed through media representations of “the talk,”—the conversations Black families have with their children about navigating interactions with police in an antiBlack society. Our findings revealed that “the talk,” as an informal curriculum, can educate people on why antiBlack police violence occurs and can provide guidance to Black people on how to survive police interactions. Additionally, we found that the Black families in this study use “the talk” to name and challenge dominant narratives about policing and police officers. Although many civics curricula and state standards continue to remain race-evasive, antiBlack, and riddled with white supremacy, we contend that incorporating media representations of “the talk” into civics instruction can create pedagogical possibilities for educators to teach about the racialized realities of citizenship experienced by Black people in the United States.

Reimagining Educational Success: Lessons on Support, Wellbeing, and Trust from Community-Grounded Research with Black Families and Gender-Diverse Youth

We present a dialogue between two community-based scholars in Tio’tia:ke/Montréal, who are examining the experiences of low-income Black families and youth, and gender-diverse, homeless youth. We argue that success must be understood differently in light of the systemic discrimination many youth navigate in schools and explore how research may mirror experiences of discrimination and lack of access that youth navigate in schools. The article highlights how relational research approaches may provide lessons for supporting youth and community leadership and posits that we must foster deep practices of trust-building, shared aims for research impact, and trust in youth.

Structural Racism in Newborn Drug Testing: Perspectives of Health Care and Child Protective Services Professionals.

Black birthing parents and their newborns disproportionately experience newborn drug testing for prenatal substance exposure by health care professionals (HCPs), which contributes to Child Protective Services (CPS) reporting, family separation, and termination of parental rights. This qualitative study aims to interrogate dominant power structures by exploring knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of HCPs and CPS professionals regarding the influence of structural racism on inequities in newborn drug testing practices. We conducted semistructured interviews with 30 physicians, midwives, nurses, social workers, and CPS professionals guided by an explanatory framework, and conducted inductive, reflexive thematic analysis. We identified 3 primary themes: (1) levels of racism beyond the hospital structure contributed to higher rates of drug testing for Black newborns; (2) inconsistent hospital policies led to racialized application of state law and downstream CPS reporting; and (3) health care professionals knowledge of the benefits and disproportionate harms of CPS reporting on Black families influenced their decision making. Health care professionals recognized structural racism as a driver of disproportionate newborn drug testing. Lack of knowledge and skill limitations of HCPs were barriers to dismantling power structures, thus impeding systems-level change. Institutional changes should shift focus from biologic testing and reporting to supporting the mutual needs of birthing parent and child through family-centered substance use treatment. State and federal policy changes are needed to ensure health equity for Black families and eliminate reporting to CPS for prenatal substance exposure when no concern for child abuse and neglect exists.

Partnering With a Purpose: Promoting Equity and Justice for Black Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Black children with autism and their families face disparities within clinical care and services, leading to inequitable health outcomes. However, there is limited research centering the voices of the Black autism community in understanding how to address these inequities. In this study, researchers explored the perspectives of caregivers of Black children with autism regarding barriers to equitable care and recommendations for improved services. Community leaders from an autism advocacy group and researchers from a large academic medical center partnered to conduct a Group Level Assessment with 31 Black families of children with autism. During a three-hour research event, participants discussed their experiences within community, school, and clinical services, collectively coded and interpreted the data, and generated action steps to improve services. The findings revealed 6 areas of need regarding the services Black children with autism and their caregivers receive. Black caregivers recommended that systems of care improve access to culturally responsive care, integrate caregiver priorities within their care, and engage in collaborative decision-making with caregivers. Providers should also equip caregivers with an accessible roadmap for navigating their child's services and connect them to care management professionals and resources for mental health support. The findings of this study address a critical gap in the literature by partnering with the Black autism community to identify solutions to address their needs; these recommendations can be used as a foundation for service providers to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for Black children with autism and their families.

Toward an understanding of intergenerational trauma and storytelling in Black families.

Despite growing attention to the intergenerational effects of trauma, including racial trauma, within Black communities, little empirical evidence exists. This qualitative study explored intergenerational trauma and storytelling within Black families in the United States, with two key aims: (1) explore if and how family members talk about their trauma experiences with one another, and (2) explore if and how sharing stories may impact family members' mental health and well-being. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 adults across eight self-identifying Black families, examining the stories they share. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four primary themes were identified: (1) Sharing is Caring …, (2) Family Ties, (3) The Reality of Racism, and (4) Safety in Silence. These themes underscore the direct effects of the traumas on those who experience and talk about them, and the meaning and impact that these traumas and stories carry across generations. Parents who shared stories of their trauma with their adult children described that doing so had a positive impact on their well-being. Adult children endorsed feeling similarly in some instances. However, they also experienced an internal conflict, feeling connected to yet burdened by these stories. Silence and protection also played a significant role. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mental health stigma and service use among Black American youth: A systematic review.

Past research has found that Black children do not obtain mental health services at a rate commensurate with their needs. Additionally, they overall have lower rates of service utilization in comparison to other groups, even when factors such as socioeconomic status are considered. This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of mental health stigma on service utilization within Black families. We conducted a review of qualitative and quantitative studies published from 1990 to 2020 that examined the relationship between mental health stigma and service use and included disaggregated data of Black American youth and/or caregivers as the participants. Twelve articles (six quantitative, four qualitative, and two mixed methods) met the inclusion criteria. We used a narrative synthesis approach to organize and assess the extracted data. Youth reported stigmatizing beliefs about mental health treatment, although their attitudes did not contribute to caregivers' decisions about seeking treatment for them. Caregivers reported an awareness of stigmatizing views being held by others in their communities, but they did not consistently describe these views as impacting their service use decisions. Findings suggest a need for additional research to determine which factors most strongly impact the service use decisions of Black American caregivers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Short report: Integrated evaluations for autism spectrum disorder in pediatric primary care clinics.

Primary care providers often screen for autism during well child visits in the first few years of life and refer children for diagnostic evaluations when needed. However, most children do not receive a diagnosis until years later which delays access to services. Racism, socioeconomic status, and other systemic inequalities that limit access to health care further delay diagnostic evaluations. Mental health clinicians who work in primary care clinics can help address barriers to accessing diagnostic evaluation services once they are recommended by their primary care provider. However, mental health clinicians who work in primary care typically do not have training in diagnosing autism. The goal of this study was to evaluate a program training mental health professionals working in an urban primary care setting, primarily serving Black and Latinx families insured by Medicaid, to provide autism diagnostic evaluations. Two hundred and fifty children completed evaluations through the Autism in Primary Care (APC) program. The wait time to access an evaluation through APC was significantly shorter than through standard avenues of care (e.g. referring to a separate autism clinic). Referring primary care providers and caregivers endorsed high levels of satisfaction with the program. Conducting autism evaluations in primary care settings offers a promising opportunity to improve earlier diagnosis and treatment access for families, reduce inequities in care, and increase caregiver and child well-being.

Fighting for Justice Amid Anti-Black Violence

This study draws on conceptualizations of BlackCrit and motherwork, and critical counterstorytelling methodological approaches, to present and analyze Ms. Irene Robinson's drawings and poetry that illustrate her experiences as a Black mother organizing for educational justice in Chicago Public Schools. The artistic narratives and supplemental analyses shared illuminate the authors’ liberatory dreams for education while also illuminating the structural violence Black students and families face in and out of urban schools. The authors conclude the article by offering implications for educators in K-12 urban schools that support more symbiotic and justice-centered educational praxes amongst teachers and Black mothers.

Differential Costs of Raising Grandchildren on Older Mother-Adult Child Relations in Black and White Families.

Drawing from theories of affect, role strain and stress processes, we studied the impact of raising grandchildren on older mothers' relationships with the adult offspring whose children they raised, with particular attention to how these patterns differ by race and ethnicity. We used mixed-methods data collected from 531 older mothers regarding their relationships with 1935 of their adult children as part of the Within-Family Differences Study. Multilevel regression analyses showed that raising grandchildren was associated with greater mother-adult child closeness in Black families; however, in White families, raising grandchildren was associated with greater mother-adult child conflict. Qualitative analyses revealed that these differences could be explained by the tendency of Black grandmothers to emphasize positive aspects of raising grandchildren, compared to White grandmothers, who viewed raising grandchildren as demanding and who described their exchanges with their adult children as unequal. Overall, our findings reflect racial and ethnic differences in intergenerational solidarity.

Republicans Listen to Rap, Too: Tupac’s Engagement with Black Conservatism

In the 25-plus years since his death, Tupac Shakur’s legacy has been reimagined as one of a fighter of social injustice and revolutionary whose discography ushered in an era of more “conscious” rap. The consensus scholarly and popular re-imagining of Shakur’s legacy as that of a progressive social justice advocate in the nearly 30 years since his death downplays or altogether overlooks his occasional alignment with conservative ideas. But this reimagining also ignores a longer history of Black music and conservative values. This essay examines Tupac’s complicated relationship with conservative thought and how his musings on the Black family mirrored the laments of conservative intellectuals like George Schuyler, Albert Murray, Stanley Crouch, Walter E. Williams, and Shelby Steele, as well as political figures such as Keyes, Armstrong Williams, and JC Watts. The authors also argue that looking at the legacies of rappers such as Tupac Shakur from purely a left/right perspective doesn’t properly account for the extent to which hip-hop culture has always been in conversation with the gamut of political discourses in the United States over the past 50 years.

We Got By: A Black Family's Journey in the Heartland by Ric S. Sheffield (review)

We Got By: A Black Family's Journey in the Heartland by Ric S. Sheffield (review)

Initial Validation of the Family Cultural Wealth Survey: Relation with Racial Discrimination and Well-being for Black Families

Initial Validation of the Family Cultural Wealth Survey: Relation with Racial Discrimination and Well-being for Black Families

The Balancing Act of Family and College: Reciprocity and Its Consequences for Black Students

Abstract Literature indicates the ways that young adults –especially those from advantaged backgrounds—rely on parents during college and the transition to adulthood. Little research focuses on how the Black family reaches into college and Black college students’ provision of support to parents and other kin. The nexus of family and higher education is a rich site for investigating inequalities in educational attainment and outcomes. Based on interviews with Black undergraduates, this paper analyzes variation in familial involvement during college. It shows the ways in which Black students maintain a balancing act to meet academic responsibilities and family obligations. These practices help sustain the families they value but also reproduce class inequalities. The social organization of colleges and families imposes greater costs on disadvantaged students and offers greater benefits for advantaged students. The structure of education and constructions of family diminish obligations to family, narrow family ties, and mystify aspects of dependence, especially for disadvantaged students. Student narratives highlight the broad character of family values that often compete with academic obligations and detract from college immersion. Different forms and patterns of assistance and connection by class and gender are tied to structural resources and cultural differences, such as the place of family, the meaning of self, assessments of who counts as family, and reliance on a norm of one-way giving.

Shuffle Out, Shuffle In: Child Protective Services Contact and Institutional Shuffling among Middle-Class Black Mothers

Abstract Researchers have shown how punitive state contact shapes the lives of poor Black individuals but have paid less attention to the role of punitive state contact in the lives of the Black middle-class. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 29 middle-class Black mothers recently investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS)—a punitive state institution with the ability to remove children from their homes—this article asks how Black mothers who are not poor assess risk of future CPS contact and navigate the threats it poses. Armed with greater resources than poor mothers, middle-class Black mothers work to evade future CPS contact through institutional shuffling—a resource-intensive evasion strategy that involves shuffling children out of certain types of institutions and into others. I find that middle-class Black mothers shuffle their children out of formal institutions and into informal ones, out of predominantly white institutions and into predominantly Black ones, and out of institutions where they have weak ties and into institutions where they have strong ties. While shuffling may shield mothers and children from future CPS contact, it may also shrink mothers’ networks, isolate children from a broad array of institutional resources, and inadvertently expose middle-class Black families to greater surveillance and punishment.

Value Sets of Business-owning Families: An Indigenous African Perspective

ABSTRACT While the literature highlights the important role played by family values in family businesses, knowledge on the nature of these values is limited or close to non-existent from certain perspectives, notably an indigenous African family business perspective. Therefore, utilizing seven indigenous Black South African family businesses as case studies, our study seeks to identify the family value sets in the business-owning families using a qualitative design. The findings show that these families uphold and teach the next-generation (NextGen) four family value sets, namely moral and ethical, economic, spiritual and religious, and cultural values. The NextGen is expected to use these value sets as they navigate their lives in and outside the family. Our study contributes to theory by identifying, developing and providing detailed insights into the nature of family values from an indigenous Black South African business-owning family perspective, and our value classification framework potentially provides other researchers with a theoretical foundation to conduct further research. Business-owning families should uphold value sets that accommodate the needs of individual family members, entire business-owning families, and their respective cultures. We also believe that non-indigenous businesses need to understand the family value sets upheld by indigenous Black African businesses to engage with them appropriately and improve business relationships.