How White Teens Respond When Race Comes Up

U.S. high school students (ages 14-17) who identify as white

In this study, the parent/guardian and teen will join a Zoom call for instructions, parent/guardian consent, and participant assent. The parent will be asked to leave the room for the remainder of the 45 minute one-on-one interview with the researcher where they’ll be asked about their personal experiences with race and racial issues (e.g., like moments when race came up at school, with friends, or online, and how they responded). They will also complete a short 5-minute online survey. To sign up, eligible families will schedule a time for the Zoom session that works for them. A private, quiet space is recommended so your teen can speak openly. The parent/guardian is allowed to stay if that is their and their teen's preference.

Most research on how teens handle race-related stress has focused on teens of color – understandably, since they face the greatest harm from racism. But, far less is known about how white teens experience these moments: what it’s like for them when race comes up, how they decide whether to speak up or stay quiet, and what actually helps them respond thoughtfully instead of getting defensive or shutting down. This study aims to fill that gap by listening directly to White teens about their own experiences with the goal of understanding what support from parents, schools, or peers helps them navigate these moments well. This is a study specifically for teens who identify as white. Most studies on CHS have different eligibility criteria, so if this study is not a fit for your family, please check out the many other studies available on the platform.

50 minutes

Participants will receive a $25 virtual Visa gift card via email in the week following study participation. Participants need to be in the United States, ages 14-17, self-identify as white, and must have their camera on and be visible for the Zoom call. A parent/guardian must be present and visible on the camera at the start for consent/assent/instructions. Only one gift card per participant.