Empowering behaviors to address race with kids (EmBARK): A racial socialization program for white families

Abstract

We evaluated the EmBARK (Empowering Behaviors to Address Race with Kids) program, which we developed to help White parents in the US address race and racial biases with their White 5- to 7-year-old children. Parents (N = 73) completed EmBARK or control condition activities matched for time commitment and engagement with their child. We achieved remarkable compliance with EmBARK, with 95% of parents completing every program component. Parents also liked EmBARK, found EmBARK useful, and successfully implemented EmBARK activities with their children. Parents praised EmBARK's structured guidance for having conversations about race with their children. Parents in the EmBARK condition (vs. control) expressed more concern about, and self-efficacy to address, children's racial biases. This study lays groundwork for assessing the long-term impact of EmBARK on reducing children's racial biases. The findings provide hope that when given resources and guidance, White parents could become active agents in addressing children's racial biases.