Raising justice‐minded youth: Parental ethnic‐racial and political socialization and Black youth's critical consciousness

Abstract

Abstract This research explored the co‐occurrence of youth and parent reports of cultural pride and alertness to racial discrimination messages—forms of parental ethnic‐racial socialization—and youth reports of family sociopolitical discussions and parent civic modeling—forms of parental political socialization—among 591 Black parents and adolescents. We examined whether these messages related to youth critical consciousness, or youth's awareness that marginalized groups face social injustice and agency to challenge unjust social issues. Structural equation modeling indicated that youth‐ and parent‐reported parental ethnic‐racial and political socialization co‐occurred among families, with the exception of youth‐ and parent‐reported alertness to discrimination and parent civic modeling. Youth and parent reports of alertness to discrimination socialization were positively associated with critical reflection. Youth reports of cultural pride socialization, family sociopolitical discussions, and parent civic modeling were positively associated with critical agency. Study findings may inform programs that support Black families’ socialization around race and politics.