Black Mothers' Perceptions of the Role of Race in Children's Education

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2017 papers

Abstract

Abstract Many Black parents consider racial climate and academic quality when thinking and making decisions about their children's schooling experiences. However, few studies have directly asked Black parents about the role they believe race will play in their children's schooling, if any. The authors interviewed 76 Black mothers ( M age = 34; SD age = 6.67) of children entering first grade ( M age = 6.13; SD age = 0.36), asking what role they believed race would play in their children's schooling. The authors found that mothers considered the racial composition of the school and the perspectives and behaviors of teachers and the administration to be important factors when assessing the role of race in their children's education. Mothers were also particularly concerned about the discrimination their sons may face because of their position as Black boys. Given these contextual factors, mothers considered themselves to be protective agents through their involvement in their children's academic lives.

Related Papers

• → A study of the racial identity and achievement of black males and females∗(1997)68 cited
• → Racial and Social Correlates of Age-Related Changes in Functioning(1992)137 cited
• → Black and White Viewers' Perception and Recall of Occupational Characters on Television(2002)56 cited
• → Disproportionality in School Discipline in Massachusetts(2016)15 cited
• → Differences in the College Enrollment Decision across Race(2009)8 cited