Mulki Omar

Racial socialization between parents and their children is positively associated with children’s racial attitudes towards other races. However, racial socialization studies with Asian American families are limited, with only 21 studies published on Asian American families from 2006 until 2017 (Young et al., 2020). This study seeks to understand the factors that may influence Asian American children's openness to engage with children of other races. Fifteen Asian American parents and children (ages 6-12 years old) were interviewed and surveyed about parents’ racial socialization and Asian American children’s openness toward playing with children of other races (African American, Latinx, White). Parent conversations about racial socialization were coded for frequency with 7 having frequent conversations, 3 having few conversations, and 5 having no conversations. There was not a significant effect of parent conversations on openness but there was a relationship between age and openness. Older Asian American children were more likely to be open to having Black and Latinx children for a play date and younger Asian American children were more likely to be open towards playing with White children at school. Future implications of the study can be used to understand intergroup relations amongst Asian American children.