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