U of M received $600K grant to test whether 'antiracist parenting' reduces 'racial bias' in white kids

July 31, 2026 - 04:03

The University of Minnesota has secured a $600,000 grant to test whether an "antiracist parenting" program can reduce racial bias in young white children. The study will recruit white mothers and focus on kids between the ages of 5 and 8. Researchers plan to design a parenting "intervention" that teaches mothers how to talk about race and racism with their children in a way that challenges prejudice.

The grant comes from a private foundation and will fund a two-year project. The goal is to see if these specific parenting strategies can actually shift how white children perceive race and treat people of different backgrounds. The study's lead researcher said that many white parents avoid discussing race altogether, which can leave children to form biased ideas on their own. The intervention aims to give mothers concrete tools to address race openly and positively.

Critics have questioned whether such a targeted approach can work, especially given the complexity of racial attitudes in society. Supporters argue that early childhood is a critical window for shaping beliefs. The university plans to measure children's implicit bias before and after the program to gauge any changes. Results are expected in late 2026.