Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Home

Header Top Menu

  • Careers
  • Investors
  • News
    • Press Release Archive
    • Press Statements
    • Podcasts
      • The Antigen Podcast
      • Get Science Podcast
      • Diverse Perspectives Podcast
      • menopause: unmuted
      • Hemcast
    • Contact Media Relations
    • Press Kits & Downloads
      • Company Press Kit
      • Pfizer Oncology Press Kit
      • PSA Narrative
      • RA NarRAtive
      • Rare Disease Gene Therapy Press Kit
      • ATTR-Amyloidosis Press Kit
      • UC Narrative
      • Eczema Inside Out Press Kit
  • Partners
    • Discovery to Pre-candidate
      • Focus Areas
        • Therapeutic Areas
          • Internal Medicine
          • Inflammation and Immunology
          • Oncology
          • Rare Disease
          • Vaccines
        • Therapeutic Modalities and Technology Platforms
          • Drug Safety
          • Gene Therapy
          • Target Sciences
          • Precision Medicine
          • Medicinal Sciences
            • Biologics Product & Process Development
            • Biotherapeutics Discovery
            • Medicine Design
            • Small Molecule Product & Process Development
        • Emerging Science
          • DNA Damage Response
          • Microsatellite Repeat Expansions
          • Senescence
      • Partnering Models
    • Candidate Through Commercialization
      • Focus Areas
        • Internal Medicine
        • Inflammation and Immunology
        • Oncology
        • Rare Disease
        • Vaccines
        • Hospital
    • Pfizer CentreOne
    • Pfizer Ventures
      • Our portfolio

Healthcare Professionals

  • Healthcare Professionals

Connect with Us

  • Connect with Us
    • Email
    • FAQ
    • Privacy Policy (NEW)
    • YouTube
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
  • Your Health

    • Healthy Living
      • Brain & Nervous System
      • Cardiovascular Health
      • Cold & Flu
      • Digestive Health
      • Healthier Aging
      • Living Tobacco Free
      • Men’s Health
      • Mental Health
      • Nutrition & Fitness
      • Pediatric Health
      • Respiratory Health
      • Skin Health
      • Vaccines & Prevention
      • Women’s Health

    • Disease & Condition
      • Cancer
      • Cardiovascular Diseases & Conditions
      • Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
      • Immune System Diseases & Conditions
      • Infections & Infectious Diseases
      • Neurological Diseases & Conditions
      • Menopause
      • Rare Disease
      • Vaccine-Related Conditions
      • Skin Diseases & Conditions
      • Atopic Dermatitis
      • Cardiovascular Disease
      • Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

    • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Resources

    • Managing your health
      • Caregiving
      • Evaluating Health Information
      • Tracking Your Health
      • Your Medicines
      • Health Literacy

    • Wellness
    Hot Topics

    Maintaining Emotional Well-Being During COVID-19

    Emotional Well-Being Tips for People Living with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions During COVID-19
  • Our Science

    • Driven to Discover the cure

    • Focus Areas
      • Internal Medicine
      • Inflammation & Immunology
      • Oncology
      • Rare Disease
      • Vaccines
      • Anti Infectives

    • Product Pipeline

    • Clinical Trials
      • Guide to Clinical Trials
      • Find a Trial
      • Expanded Access & Compassionate Use
      • Clinical Trials in Children
      • Partnering with Pfizer
      • Trial Data & Results
      • Research Integrity & Transparency
      • Diversity in Clinical Trials

    • R&D Platforms
      • Biosimilars
      • Gene Therapy
      • Medicinal Sciences
      • Precision Medicine
      • Maternal Immunization

    • Collaboration
      • Partner with Pfizer

    • Research sites

    • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Resources
      • All COVID-19 Updates
      • Vaccine Efforts
      • Antiviral Efforts
      • Partnerships & Anti-Infective Efforts
      • Supporting the Fight Against COVID-19
    HOT TOPICS

    MRNA VS. CONVENTIONAL VACCINES

    What Makes an RNA Vaccine Different From a Conventional Vaccine?
  • Our People

    • Meet The Experts
      • Scientists
      • Internal Medicine – Metabolic Disease
      • Inflammation & Immunology
      • Oncology
      • Rare Disease
      • Vaccines
      • Medical Professionals

    • The Journey

    • Leadership
      • Executives
      • Board Members
      • Company Fact Sheet

    • Diverse Perspectives
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Supplier Diversity
    HOT TOPICS

    Meet our new Chief Patient Officer, Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron

    dr_richardson_300x170.jpg

    Working Together to Empower Women

    VizagWomen_300x170.jpg

    • Hot Topics
  • Our Purpose

    • Commitment to Global Health
      • Expanding Access
      • Strengthening Health Systems
      • Providing Disaster & Humanitarian Relief
      • Unleashing the Power of Our Colleagues
      • Highlighting Individual Voices

    • Protecting People and the Environment
      • Pfizer's Green Journey
      • Product Stewardship
      • EHS Governance
      • EHS Supply Chain
      • Key Performance Indicators
      • Health & Safety
      • Human Rights

    • Positions on Health Policies
      • Ready for Cures
      • How does Pfizer price medicines?
      • Value of Medicines
      • Policy Positions
      • Creating Cures Through Facility Investments

    • Transparency
      • Working with Health Care Professionals
      • Transparency in Grants
      • Code of Conduct
      • Corporate Compliance
      • Sales and Marketing Compliance

    • Independent Grants
      • Competitive Grants Program
      • Independent Medical Education
      • Investigator Sponsored Research
      • Quality Improvement
      • COVID-19 Vaccine Grants

    • Contributions & Partnerships
      • Healthcare Charitable Contributions
      • Lobbying & Political Contributions
    HOT TOPICS

    Pfizer Women’s Resource Group

    Media Name: IWD_Pull_up_Banner_300x170.jpg

    • Hot Topics
  • Our Products

    • Product listing

    • How drugs are made
      • Branded vs. Generic
      • Biologics & Biosimilars
      • Commitment to Quality

    • Distributors
      • Pfizer Distributors
      • Greenstone Distributors

    • Medicine Safety
      • Reporting Adverse Events
      • Making Good Treatment Choices
      • Partnering With Patients
      • Health Literacy
      • Medicine Safety Tips for Patients
      • Counterfeiting
      • Unused Medicines

    • Safety Data Sheets

    • Medical Information Contacts

    • Pfizer Global Supply
    HOT TOPICS

    Universal vs. Single Payer Healthcare

    Media Name: universal_healthcare300x170.jpg
  • Careers

    • Working Here
      • Mission & Purpose
      • Culture
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Career Growth & Colleague Development
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Ensuring Corporate Responsibility
    • Search Jobs
    • Student & Early Career
      • Postdoctoral Program
      • US Summer Student Worker Program
      • Opportunities for Veterans
    • Pfizer365.com
    • Our Hiring & Recruiting Process
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Tips for Interviewing at Pfizer
    • Connect With Us
  • Investors

    • Investors Overview
      • Why Invest / Our Story
      • Prospective Investors
      • Fact Sheet
    • Events & Presentations
    • Financials
      • Quarterly Reports
      • Annual Reports
      • SEC Filings
      • Interactive Data Filings
    • Investor News
    • Stock Information
      • Historical Price Lookup
      • Investment Calculator
      • Historical Stock Chart & Data
      • Dividend & Split History
      • Stock FAQs
    • Governance
      • Board Committees and Charters
      • The Pfizer Board Policies
      • Corporate Governance FAQs
      • Contact Our Directors
    • Shareholder Services
      • Stock FAQs
      • Advisory Information
      • Cost Basis Calculator
  • News

    • Contact Media Relations
    • Podcasts
    • Press Kits & Downloads
    • Press Release Archive
    • Press Statements
  • Partners
  • Footer links

    • Footer Aside Section1
      • CAREER-SEEKERS
      • INVESTORS
      • News & Media
      • Partners
    • Footer Aside Section 2
      • Healthcare Professionals
      • Business To Business
      • Change Region
      • Sitemap
    • Footer Aside Section3
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Linkedin
      • Instagram
      • Youtube
    • Footer Aside Section4
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy

Listen, Learn, and Act: Talking Race With Children

Listen, Learn, and Act: Talking Race With Children
YOUR HEALTH/ Listen, Learn, and Act: Talking Race With Children
August 25, 2020

As the nation erupted in widespread protests following the deaths of George Floyd and other people of color, the need to talk to kids about racial inequities has never been more critical.

After all, children are remarkably observant—not just about current events, but about racism itself: The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that babies as young as six months can tell one ethnicity from another. And somewhere between two- and four-years-old, kids start to understand the building blocks of racist ideas, learning about intentional and unintentional racial bias.1

But it’s not until another decade or so that children form belief systems that they may carry for many years later. That makes these early years a pivotal time when parents should talk about racism, as well as help fight against it in their household and communities.2

The Need for Tough Talks—and How to Start the Discussion

Some parents may believe that the most helpful way to teach their kids about race is to teach colorblindness.3 But many families, especially those of color, don’t have the luxury of pretending racial biases don’t exist.1,3,4 

“Parents shouldn’t just hope that their kids aren’t aware of what’s happening, particularly Black children,” says Keisha Thompson, PhD, an associate professor of psychology in New York City. “The Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education voted the work of psychologist Kenneth Clark (doll studies), which determined that very young children were internalizing the separate but equal laws and climate in unhealthy ways. It’s imperative that parents of Black children have affirming conversations with them about their race.”

Another damaging aspect of this, she adds, is that if race is a taboo topic at home, it implies that it should be ignored. This stymies dialogue and means that tough issues get swept under the rug, instead of getting addressed, and hopefully, changed.

“Children are watching how we react to the news and to real-life situations that invoke privilege and issues of race,” Dr. Thompson said. “So, ignoring it for non-Black parents is sending the message to children that they, too, should ignore it. Angrily switching off the television or snapping at them about questions they may have is sending the message that they should also be angry or that their childlike concern is upsetting.”

Instead of ignoring racial differences or telling kids not to see color, experts suggest acknowledging biases, celebrating what makes us all different, and taking actions to set a positive example.

Here are some tips to try, beginning today:

Ask and Listen

Children who feel supported about their questions, concerns, and worries tend to be more emotionally prepared to tackle life’s tough moments.1 So if kids come to you, advance the dialogue by asking questions like “What else have you heard about that?” or “How does that make you feel?” Hear kids out when they answer, acknowledge their feelings, and address fears they may have for themselves or others.2 

Above everything else, very young children need reassurance that they’re loved and safe. As they age, older children may be able to handle more complicated topics—like whether or not they’ve experienced racism or seen it with others. Look for changes in their mood, and check in with the pediatrician if you’re worried about their mental health.4

Find Everyday Teachable Moments

Look for daily opportunities to recognize and celebrate racial and cultural diversity. For children of color, it can be especially helpful to help them build up their own sense of cultural identity, heritage, and pride in who they are. Doing so may help protect them from the negative effects of discrimination, one study in Child Development notes.1

Research has also shown that when children have exposure to diverse role models, their own racial biases can improve.5 In addition to encouraging social relationships with people of all ethnicities, you can also help expose children to racial diversity by reading books and watching movies with main characters of color.4 

Also, focus on providing children meaningful experiences that help them understand dynamics beyond their own neighborhood. Traveling to other communities, for example, can help kids engage in more activities to expand their worldview.2

Act for the Greater Good                           

The most powerful words are those followed by action—and your own positive actions could help shape policy for generations to come, while teaching important lessons.6 

So instead of merely telling children that racism exists, teach them that we can undo it. That means setting an example for your kids by calling a local representative to speak out against injustice, joining an antiracism advocacy group, or volunteering with a group focused on ending racial justice.3

It also means reckoning with your own racial biases and working to overcome them. Discuss your learnings and experiences with your children. And most importantly, act with everyday kindness and compassion for everyone.2

After all, children watch what grownups do, so make your actions count.

 

Sources

1. Park IJK, Wang L, Williams DR, Alegría M. Coping With Racism: Moderators of the Discrimination-Adjustment Link Among Mexican-Origin Adolescents. Child Development. 2017;89(3):e293-e310. doi:10.1111/cdev.12856. Accessed July 15, 2020.

2. ‌Talking to Children About Racial Bias. American Academy of Pediatrics. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Talking-to-Children-About-Racial-Bias.aspx. Accessed July 14, 2020.

3. Talking to Kids About Race and Racism (for Parents). Nemours KidsHealth. Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/talk-about-race.html. Accessed July 14, 2020.

4. Talking to Your Kids About Racism. UNICEF. Available at: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism. Accessed July 14, 2020.

5. Gonzalez AM, Steele JR, Baron AS. Reducing Children’s Implicit Racial Bias Through Exposure to Positive Out-Group Exemplars. Child Development. 2016;88(1):123-130. doi:10.1111/cdev.12582. Accessed July 15, 2020.

6. Russell ST. Social Justice and the Future of Healthy Families: Sociocultural Changes and Challenges. Family Relations. 2019;68(3):358-370. doi:10.1111/fare.12358. Accessed July 15, 2020.

7. Qian, M. K., Quinn, P. C., Heyman, G. D., Pascalis, O., Fu, G., & Lee, K. (2017). Perceptual individuation training (but not mere exposure) reduces implicit racial bias in preschool children. Developmental Psychology, 53(5), 845–859. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000290. Accessed July 15, 2020.

8. Talking to Children about Racism: The Time is Now. American Academy of Pediatrics. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Talking-to-Children-about-Racism.aspx. Accessed July 14, 2020.

 

 

Related Hot Topics
Media Name: GettyImages-672136720_300x170.jpg
Helping Kids Cope With A Cancer Diagnosis
Medical_Care_on_Vacation_300x170.jpg
Medical Care on Vacation: How to prepare and what to do when someone gets sick…
Is Stress Taking A Toll On Your Child?
Is Stress Taking A Toll On Your Child?
Dry and Itchy Skin, or Is It Eczema?
Dry and Itchy Skin, or Is It Eczema?
Tracking Your Child’s Growth
Tracking Your Child’s Growth
Media Name: pediatric_liquid-dosing.jpg
Pediatric Dosing—Giving Your Child a Safe Dose of Medicine
Media Name: Thumbnail_Pediatric_Health_What_is_ADHD_300x170.jpg
Recognizing ADHD in Your Child
Media Name: caregivers_0.png
ADHD Caregivers: 8 Steps to Take Now
Tags
Pediatric Health
Show
Hide

Footer menu

  • Your Health
    • Healthy Living
    • Disease Conditions
    • Manage Your Health
  • Our Science
    • Therapeutic Areas
    • Product Pipeline
    • Clinical Trials
    • R&D Platforms
    • Collaboration
    • Research SItes
  • Our People
    • Meet the Experts
    • The Journey
    • Leadership
    • Diverse Perspectives
  • Our Purpose
    • Commitment To Global Health
    • Positions on Health Policies
    • Transparency
    • Contributions & Partnerships
  • Our Products
    • Product Listing
    • How Drugs are Made
    • Distributors
    • Global Product Information Contacts

Footer aside

  • Footer Aside Section1
    • CAREER-SEEKERS
    • INVESTORS
    • News & Media
    • Partners
  • Footer Aside Section 2
    • Healthcare Professionals
    • Business To Business
    • Change Region
    • Sitemap
  • Footer Aside Section3
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
  • Footer Aside Section4
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
Pfizer Logo Footer

Copyright © 2002-2021 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. This information—including product information—is intended only for residents of the United States.
The products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.