Understanding racial socialization division of labor practices in dual-Black and interracial parenting dyads.

Abstract

Over the past several decades, there has been a limited but growing body of literature examining parental factors in the racial socialization (RS) process, particularly conversations between parents about the delivery, timing, and labor of RS conversations (Jones & Neblett, 2019; McNeil Smith et al., 2016). Simultaneously, a unique subset of researchers is investigating RS practices of parents of Black-White biracial children (Csizmadia et al., 2014; Stone & Dolbin-MacNab, 2017). The dearth of research examining intraparental dyadic communication makes it clear that there is a need to continue examining the RS dialogue between romantically involved couples rearing Black and biracial children as an extension of parenting (Jones & Neblett, 2019). Using elements of phenomenological inquiry (Spigelberg, 1982), the present study investigated one facet of parenting decisions regarding RS: division of labor (DOL) in romantically involved parenting dyads. Themes included approaches to DOL, factors influencing DOL, and navigation of coparenting dynamics as well as related subthemes and focused codes. Further analyses suggested that despite racial structures, parents of Black and biracial youth are social agents in the RS process; their intraparental dyadic conversations impact their DOL practices and parenting dynamics. Regardless of the role played in the RS conversation, every parent in the present study described feeling supported and providing support in relaying RS messages with their coparenting partner. Unique findings were present among interracial dyads (e.g., racialized upbringing) and mothers and fathers (e.g., balancing one another). Clinical implications and future directions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).