Black children disparities

HART

RESEARCH ASSOC I AT ES

The State Of Black Children And Families:

Black Perspectives on What Black Children Face & What the Future Holds Key findings from qualitative and quantitative research among adults, caregivers, children, national and community leaders Conducted November – December 2010 for

Methodology Nationwide survey among 801 Black adults, including 475 caregivers, conducted November 10 – 23, 2010  Nationwide survey among 403 Black children ages 11 to 17, conducted November 10 – December 2, 2010  Nine focus group discussions 

 Four focus groups in Washington, DC, November 29 – 30, 2010 1.

2.

3.

4.

Middle-income parents and caregivers Low-income parents and caregivers Children ages 11 to 14 Children ages 15 to 17

 Three focus groups in Memphis, TN, December 4, 2010 1. Parents and caregivers 2. Children ages 11 to 14 3. Children ages 15 to 17

 Two telephone focus groups among national Black leaders and activists 2

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Adults & Caregivers See Tough Times For Black Children How are things going in the country these days for Black children?

Very good times Tough times

Okay times Really bad times

66%

64%

28%

24% 34%

Easier today Harder today About the same, depends, not sure

72%

69%

25%

Is it easier or harder to be a Black child today, compared with how things were for parents’ generation?

26%

33%

8%

8% All Adults

3

Caregivers

All Adults

Caregivers

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Most Adults And Caregivers See Improvements For Just A Minority Of Black Children Compared to 15 years ago, have things improved for Black children?

Things have improved for:

69%

66%

29%

29% 30%

28% 9%

8%

All Adults 4

Nearly all

Caregivers

Most

Just some

Very few

Key Subgroups

Men age 18 to 49 Men age 50/over Women age 18 to 49 Women age 50/over High school/less educ Some college College graduates Under $20K income $20K to $50K income Over $50K income Northeast South Midwest West

All/ Just Some/ Most Very Few 34% 59% 29% 67% 29% 67% 25% 72% 26% 67% 36% 60% 27% 71% 27% 69% 33% 65% 24% 70% 29% 67% 31% 64% 24% 70% 23% 69%

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Most Think Conditions Have Stayed The Same Or Worsened For Both Middle- And Low-Income Black Children Compared to 15 years ago, what is the situation for THESE Black children?

Middle-Class Children Things have improved

Poor/Low-Income Children

Things have stayed the same

Things have gotten worse

49% 36% 31%

5

37% 27%

All Adults

49%

28%

30%

Caregivers

23% 23%

All Adults

24% 23%

Caregivers

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Youthful Optimism Shows In Expectations For Young People’s Future As Adults Thinking 15 to 20 years ahead, when today’s Black youth/you are adults, do you think things will be easier or harder than for Black adults today?

Children

All Adults

Things will 54% be harder

Things will be easier

30%

16% About same/ depends/ not sure

6

34%

Things will be harder

Things will be easier

3% About same/ depends/ not sure

Boys Girls Age 11-14 Age 15-17 $30K/less Over $30K

63%

Easier Harder 61% 34% 64% 34% 67% 30% 57% 39% 60% 37% 66% 31%

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

High Imprisonment Rates, Unemployment Cited As Most Serious Problems All Adults Saying Each is a VERY Serious Problem in their Community Large number of Black boys & men in prison Unemployment

75% 74% 61%

Drugs Parents not taking responsibility for their children Teenage pregnancy

58% 54% 54%

Violence Loss of moral and religious values Presence of guns Poorly performing schools Disrespect or mistreatment of Black women and girls Child abuse Racial and ethnic tension

7

54% 51% 49% 47% 31% 27%

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Adults & Caregivers Think Racial Injustices Remain Likely For Many Black Youth Proportion of Black children who will experience each of the following: Almost all/most

About half

Less than half/very few

Racial profiling by police/other law enforcement All adults

45%

23% 22%

52%

Caregivers

26% 23%

Denial of important opportunities because of racial prejudice All adults Caregivers

30%

28%

36%

29%

32%

35%

Serve time in jail All adults

22%

Caregivers

20%

39%

34% 35%

40%

50%

8

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Drugs, Dropping Out, Serving Time, Top The List Of Serious Problems For Children % CHILDREN saying each is a VERY serious problem for the Black children they know 53%

Drugs Dropping out of school

48%

Ending up in prison

48%

Involvement with gangs

47%

Neighborhood violence, including drug violence Too many youths having guns

46%

Involvement with people who are bad influence Living in dangerous neighborhood

9

46% 44% 43%

Seven in 10 children say violence is the numberone or a very important problem for young Black people today.

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Additional Problems Black Young People Face % CHILDREN saying each is a VERY serious problem for the Black children they know

Violence in school

40%

Not having safe/clean places to play, hang out

38%

Racial profiling by police, law enforcement

38%

Treated unfairly because of race Difficult family life

10

37% 35%

Dating violence

31%

Not enough to do outside of school

30%

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Additional Problems Raised In Focus Groups 

Economic Isolation, Lack of Jobs



Cultural Isolation



Fractured Black Communities and Families    



11

Lack of moral and religious values Lack of community standards Teen pregnancy Absent fathers

Splintering Larger Black Community Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Improving Conditions For Black Children Starts At Home Which group is letting Black children down the most?

Parents

Which group could do the most to make a positive difference on the problems of Black youth?

Parents

29%

Government

47%

Grandparents 20%

Schools

10%

Churches 14%

Local Black community leaders/groups 8%

Churches

9%

Local Black community leaders/groups 5%

Schools

6%

4%

Business leaders

Government

National Black leaders

National Black leaders

Grandparents

Business leaders

4%

4%

2%

12

4%

3%

3%

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Staying Engaged/Spending Time With Child Most Important Things Adults Can Do What are the best things a parent or individual Black adult can do to help a Black child, make a positive difference?

Talk to them, be involved, spend time, communicate Instill good morals, values, teach right from wrong Love/encourage, let them know you care/are there Be a good role model, walk the talk Keep them in school, ensure they get good education Help, assist, support Take the time to listen, understand 13

All CareAdults givers 31% 35% 17%

17%

14%

13%

12%

12%

11%

12%

7% 7%

10% 7%

Talk to them, be involved, spend time, communicate Help, assist, support Take the time to listen, understand Teach right from wrong, how to be a good person Be a good role model Love/encourage, let them know you care/are there Help with homework, be involved in education Pay attention to what they do

Children 25% 15% 13% 12% 11% 10% 8% 7%

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC

Getting From Here To Where We Need To Be 

Structural/Institutional Changes  Improving public schools so they are safe places that prepare our children for the future  Criminal justice reforms  Economic development and job creation in Black communities



Community Challenges  Healing Black families (connect Black fathers to their families and children, address teen pregnancy)  Reconnecting the Black community  Addressing the impact of multiple generations of economic and social isolation for some communities



Building A Movement  Connecting Black leaders, academics, and activists to the work on the ground  Developing a comprehensive strategy (The Black Marshall Plan)  Building support and mobilizing Black Americans

14

Black Perspectives on the State of Black Children & Families– Nov 2010 – Hart Research for CDF/BCCC