Experts suggest that conversations about race and racial justice could protect children’s health by protecting them from stress-related illnesses that could develop as they move from childhood to adulthood.
“We know that (the experience of) racism is a form of stress, and repeated exposure to that stress can negatively affect children as they grow up,” said Dr. Kim Reynolds, 38, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami Health System, who has raised awareness of the link between racial discrimination and physical illness.
An ongoing experiment in Baltimore found that people who reported “a lot” of discrimination had higher systolic blood pressure and greater decline in kidney function. Another study suggested a link between African Americans’ experiences of racial discrimination and high blood pressure.
Blacks are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure than whites, and the differences start in the 18-34 group, with 12% of people in that group living with the disease, compared with 10% for whites, the centers for Disease control and prevention. In the 50- to 64-year-old age group, 61% of blacks had high blood pressure compared with 41% of whites, according to the CDC.
According to Reynolds, children who are affected by racism can see themselves as “younger than” from the age of 3. This can have an impact on school performance and confidence, and add to the school-prison pipeline.
Second hand experiences can also have serious negative effects on children.
Toddlers are quick to recognize current events and tension and, as a result, may experience vicarious trauma or share the pain of people they find hurt in their daily life or through television screens.
“Even when they’re not on the receiving end, they see what’s going on in society, and that scares them because they don’t know how to fully express themselves,” Reynolds said. “And that means that they may also internalize racism or continue to perpetuate racism against fellow students and not even realize it.”
Reynolds and Alamdari said that after high-profile acts of violence like George Floyd’s murder in Minnesota, parents will notice children become more irritable, closing or reflecting the discomfort of their household members when the race comes up in conversation.
“These are all clues about how your child is processing this traumatic information,” Alamdari said. “And they are indications that we should all be more closely connected.”
For the little ones, this means introducing the concepts of race and diversity through playful activities and smart shopping.
“Are they representative of all races, all shapes, all sizes, all hair textures?” asked Alamdari, noting that parents should ask themselves these kinds of questions before buying toys and books or watching movies or cartoons on television.
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