A new report published in Psychology Today reveals how puberty intensifies racial bias against Black children, leading to significant health disparities and psychological challenges. Dr. Rona Carter, an associate professor at the University of Michigan, highlights the urgent need for educational and societal reforms to address this issue.
The report shows that Black children are often perceived as older and less innocent than their white peers, resulting in increased stress, anxiety, and identity struggles. “The psychological toll of being perceived as older can be profound for Black children,” Carter writes. This adultification bias is particularly pronounced during puberty, which Black girls often experience earlier than other races, sometimes as young as 7 or 8 years old.
The consequences of this bias extend beyond mental health. Black children face harsher disciplinary actions in schools and more severe judgments in the criminal justice system. For example, Black girls are six times more likely to be suspended from school than white girls for similar behaviors.
To address these disparities, Carter calls for comprehensive reforms, including bias training for educators and law enforcement, policy changes in educational and judicial systems, and increased community and parental involvement. She emphasizes the importance of curricula that reflect diverse histories and experiences of Black communities.
The report underscores the critical need to recognize and combat adultification bias to ensure Black children can thrive emotionally, academically, and socially, ultimately reducing health disparities rooted in systemic racism.
See “Report Unveils Puberty’s Role in Intensifying Racial Bias Against Black Children” (July 25, 2024)
