African American mothers' racial socialization practices with preschoolers: A mixed methods study

Objective This pilot study examined the racial socialization frequency, practices, and goals African American mothers use to socialize their preschool-age children around race. Background Previous studies have demonstrated that African American mothers engage in racial socialization. However, little research has focused on how race and racism influence African American mothers' racial socialization frequency, practices, and goals. Methods In the quantitative phase, a racial socialization measure was used to assess African American mothers' (N = 30) racial socialization frequency. In the qualitative phase, follow-up interviews conducted with eight African American mothers explored how race and racism influence the mothers' parenting. Results Mothers with a high racial socialization score encouraged racial awareness, whereas mothers with low scores discouraged racial awareness. Most mothers used oppressive practices to keep their preschoolers safe. Most mothers braided their parental practices with their racial experiences from childhood. Conclusions Mothers of African American children are processing parental guidance approaches on two levels-general guidance related to their child's development and a track related to the role race may be playing. Implications The implications of this study will be influential in the development and effectiveness of culturally centered practices that support Black children as well as Black mothers' parenting.