Research shows that as children get older, cross-race friendships become less common, especially between the ages of 8 and 13. Children start believing that people tend to be friends with those of the same race, and they are less likely to have friendships across racial lines. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Here’s how you can support your child in building meaningful, diverse friendships:


1️⃣ Educate Yourself: Understanding the social and historical factors that make cross-race friendships difficult is key. Equip yourself with knowledge about racism, privilege, and the systems of inequality that exist. This will help you better support your child in navigating these relationships. For white parents, it’s especially important to avoid placing the burden of educating on children of color. Instead, take responsibility for providing developmentally appropriate conversations about race and racism.
2️⃣ Diversify Your Own Friendships: Research shows that children model their parents’ behaviors more than their words. If your social circle is racially diverse, your child is more likely to have diverse friendships as well. Lead by example and build authentic, diverse connections.
3️⃣ Create Opportunities for Cross-Race Contact: Be intentional about exposing your child to racially diverse environments, whether through after-school programs, community events, or diverse friend groups. While segregation may make this difficult, it’s important to be proactive in seeking these opportunities.
4️⃣ Be Critical of Media and Books: Ensure that the media your child consumes includes positive representations of people of color. Books and shows that normalize diverse characters and experiences help children see both the differences and similarities among people, fostering empathy and understanding.


By educating yourself, diversifying your circles, and being intentional, you can help your child build lasting, affirming friendships across racial lines.
To watch this Talking Race and Kids episode visit: bit.ly/ERCrossRacial

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