Ethnic/Racial Socialization about Race, Racism, and Policing among Black and African American Families in the United States

This dissertation research investigates the ways in which Black and African American children’s parents and their environments shape the ideologies they develop about the nature, utility, and motives of law enforcement. More specifically, I assess these contextual factors using a mixed-method approach grounded in Critical Race Theory. Results give insight into Black family processes which have been understudied. Simultaneously, the current research will helps illuminate which elements in a child’s environment contribute most to attitudes about law enforcement. Findings suggest that police contact, victimization, neighborhood collective efficacy, school connectedness, racial makeup of neighborhoods, and parental ethnic/racial organization strategies are all crucial factors affecting youth’s formation of attitudes and beliefs about law enforcement in the United States