Presenter: Evandra Catherine, PhD, Research Assistant Professor (FSC), Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University

 

In this talk, Dr. Evandra Catherine will discuss the ways in which Black caregivers and early childhood educators engage in racial-ethnic emotion socialization behaviors with Black children. Racial-ethnic emotion socialization is a strategy used by Black adults, primarily caregivers, to protect Black children from bias and racism. Research suggests that engaging in racial-ethnic emotion socialization teaches Black children (particularly boys) to suppress their negative emotions when interacting with white authority figures such as teachers and law enforcement. Emotion suppression is likely contributing to delays in emotion-related skills and challenging behaviors in Black children, evidenced by the disproportionate rates of suspension and expulsion experienced by this group. The ability to recognize and understand Black adults' use of racial-ethnic emotion socialization strategies has significant implications for infant mental health practitioners and emotional development.