Abstract
This study examines how White parents engage in racial socialization with their children amid today’s polarized social climate. Drawing from qualitative interviews with participants in a racial equity training, the analysis explores the directional nature of racial socialization, whether unidirectional (parent-led) or bidirectional (mutual). Current strategies tended to be unidirectional, shaped by parent-determined readiness, vague entry points, and an emphasis on diversity rather than explicit discussions of race. However, parents’ recommendations for future programming reflected greater bidirectional potential, emphasizing identity reflection, empathy-building, and motivation. These findings offer practical guidance for developing family-centered interventions that promote racial literacy, strengthen parent–child relationships, and advance translational goals in social work practice.
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