The Emergence of Racial Bias in White Children: Beliefs and Exposure to Racial Inequality

What is it about?

In a study involving 646 White children in the United States who were 4-8 years of age and participated through an online platform, researchers analyzed the development of racial bias during early childhood. The analysis revealed that among children living in neighborhoods with greater economic and educational racial inequality, those who believed that racial inequalities are the result of intrinsic differences between people were less likely to choose to play with a Black child, compared with children who believed that racial inequalities were the result of external factors beyond individuals’ control. Children who believed that racial inequalities are caused by external factors were equally likely to choose to play with Black or White children.

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Why is it important?

The findings carry potential implications for the development of racial biases during childhood given recent legislation in US states that restrict the discussion of racial inequalities in school, according to the authors.