Unraveling Bias: How Prejudice Has Shaped Children for Generations and Why It’s Time to Break the Cycle by Christia Spears, professor of developmental psychology at the University of Kentucky. In addition, her work on the impact of gender stereotypes on children and adolescents has been published widely including a blogging post for Psychology Today called Beyond Pink and Blue.
Christia provides insights to the ‘how and why’ biases are developed and specifically at what age levels deeper, rigid perceptions are established. Of course, it is important to understand how this exposure to bias will impact diversity.
One of the impactful areas for childhood development involves how children internalize non-verbal cues. At this junction, the non-verbal cues will reveal bias even when a conversation regarding a type of bias is not communicated.
In addition, these children ultimately see adults around them (family, a parent’s co-worker, or adult social relationships) and learn how to react.
In addition, perhaps to no surprise, Unraveling Bias reveals how children impacted by bias, specially discrimination will score lower on tests and have higher dropout rates.
Students also battle depression, low self esteem, higher drug use, and even higher thoughts of suicide. This will certainly increase additional health issues as they grow up.