Racism has been a hot topic for decades, yet it continues to linger and affects different groups of people globally.

In a recent experiment conducted in the United States, it was revealed that children as young as six years old have racist tendencies and beliefs. In the experiment, a group of children was offered two dolls, one with a lighter skin tone and the other with a darker skin tone. The results were disturbing, and it begs the question- where are children learning these behaviors?.

The Study

The study involved 76 children aged between 6 and 11 years attending a New York summer school program. The children were presented with two plastic dolls of different skin tones- one with a white skin tone and the other with a black skin tone.

The participants were asked a series of questions to gain an in-depth understanding of their views on race. The results were alarming; most of the children would attribute negative traits to the black doll, and some would claim they would avoid playing with it altogether.

The Findings

Of the 76 children, 61% favored the white doll, while 39% chose the black doll. The research team further asked the children to pick out the doll that resembled them, and some of the minority children chose the white doll over the black one.

The children were also asked questions that would test their prejudices, and the results were even more shocking. An estimated 45% of the children considered the white doll superior to the black doll. Furthermore, 38% of the minority children believed that the white doll had more positive characteristics than the black doll.

The Implications

The study sheds light on the reality of racism in society and how it has penetrated into the minds of impressionable and innocent children.

The results suggest that children in the United States, especially those who come from minority backgrounds, get exposed to negative racial beliefs at an early age, leading to internalized racial oppression. Indeed, such attitudes can affect their self-esteem, self-worth, and behavior patterns, leading to long-term psychological implications.

The Call to Action

The results of the study show that the issue of racism requires urgent and sustained attention from all stakeholders. The focus needs to be on combating these beliefs before they take root in the minds of children.

Parents, educators, and lawmakers have an essential role to play in addressing racism. Educators, for instance, should teach children about different skin tones and cultures from a young age and encourage diversity in the classroom.

Lawmakers should enact strict laws against any form of discrimination, while parents should ensure that they raise their children to embrace diversity and respect all people regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.

Conclusion

The study’s findings are a wake-up call to society that racism is not just a phenomenon reserved for adults. Rather, it starts at an early age and can have significant long-term effects on children.

To combat this problem, we need to teach children about tolerance and respect, even of people who look different from us. Education and awareness campaigns are essential in this regard, and the eradication of racism should be a top priority for all societies.