Racial Disproportionality and Disparities in the Child Welfare System: Why Do They Exist, and What Can Be Done to Address Them?
Author | Alan J. Dettlaff,Reiko Boyd |
DOI | 10.1177/0002716220980329 |
Published date | 01 November 2020 |
Date | 01 November 2020 |
ANNALS, AAPSS, 692, November 2020 253
DOI: 10.1177/0002716220980329
Racial
Disproportionality
and Disparities in
the Child Welfare
System: Why Do
They Exist, and
What Can Be
Done to Address
Them?
By
ALAN J. DETTLAFF
and
REIKO BOYD
980329ANN THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMYRACIAL DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES
research-article2021
Children of color are overrepresented in the child wel-
fare system, and Black children have been most signifi-
cantly impacted by this racial disproportionality. Racial
disproportionality in child welfare exists because of
influences that are both external to child welfare sys-
tems and part of the child welfare system. We summa-
rize the causes of racial disproportionality, arguing that
internal and external causes of disproportional involve-
ment originate from a common underlying factor:
structural and institutional racism that is both within
child welfare systems and part of society at large.
Further, we review options for addressing racial dispro-
portionality, arguing that it needs to be rectified
because of the harm it causes Black children and fami-
lies and that forcible separation of children from their
parents can no longer be viewed as an acceptable form
of intervention for families in need.
Keywords: racial disproportionality; racial disparities;
child welfare; foster care
Research has observed the overrepresenta-
tion of children of color in the child wel-
fare system for more than 50 years. Commonly
referred to as racial disproportionality, this
phenomenon describes a condition that exists
when the proportion of one group in the child
welfare population (i.e., children in foster care)
is proportionately larger (overrepresented) or
smaller (underrepresented) than the propor-
tion of the same group in the general child
population. Overrepresentation in the child
welfare system has most significantly occurred
for Black children, with national data indicating
that Black children represent 23 percent of
children in foster care, although they represent
Alan J. Dettlaff is dean and Maconda Brown O’Connor
Endowed Dean’s Chair at the University of Houston
Graduate College of Social Work. His research focuses
on examining and addressing issues of structural and
institutional racism that contribute to the overrepresen-
tation of children of color in the child welfare system.
Correspondence: ajdettlaff@uh.edu
254 THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY
only 14 percent of children in the general population (KIDS Count 2020). This
represents a decrease in disproportionality since 2000 when Black children rep-
resented 38 percent of children in foster care (Summers, Wood, and Russell
2012). This decrease was realized in part due to national attention to the problem
of disproportionality in the early 2000s, which led to a number of state legislative
mandates requiring system responses (e.g., Michigan Department of Human
Services 2006; Texas Health and Human Services Commission 2006), as well as
national philanthropic efforts to assist in these responses (e.g., Casey Family
Programs 2009). However, despite decades of efforts to address this, Black chil-
dren remain overrepresented in foster care at a rate more than 1.6 times their
proportion of the general population. While the national dialogue has focused
largely on Black children, racial disproportionality has also been observed for
Native American and Latinx children, although to a lesser degree and with vari-
ation by state.1
While racial disproportionality refers to one group’s representation in the child
welfare system being out of proportion with their representation in the popula-
tion, racial disparity refers to inequality in group representation in the child
welfare system. That is, racial disparity is used to describe inequitable outcomes
experienced by one racial group when compared to another racial group, while
disproportionality compares the proportion of one racial group to the same racial
group in the general population. Racial disparities can occur at every decision-
making point in the child welfare system, beginning with the point of initial
report, acceptance of reports for investigation, substantiation of maltreatment,
entries into foster care, and exits from care. These decisions are made not only
by child welfare caseworkers, but also by supervisors, administrators, judges, and
other legal professionals, as well as professionals external to the child welfare
system and the general public. At each of these decision-making points, racial
disparities occur that disproportionately impact Black children.2
Beginning with the point of initial referral, multiple studies demonstrate that
Black children are more likely to be reported for suspected maltreatment than
White children (e.g., Putnam-Hornstein et al. 2013). Once a report is made,
allegations involving Black children are more likely to proceed to investigation
than those involving White children (e.g., Fluke et al. 2003). Once accepted,
allegations involving Black children are more likely to be substantiated than those
involving White children (e.g., Putnam-Hornstein et al. 2013). Following an
investigation, Black children are more likely to be removed from their homes and
placed into foster care than White children (e.g., Maguire-Jack, Font, and Dillard
2020). Finally, once in care, studies show that Black children are less likely to be
reunified with their families and spend a longer time in care than White children
(e.g., M. Miller 2008). Over the years, studies have examined factors that explain
these disparities and findings have been mixed regarding the role of race, with
some studies identifying race as a significant factor at various decision points
Reiko Boyd is an assistant professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social
Work. Her research focuses on racial disparity and equity in child welfare, Black infant health,
transition-age youth, and structural inequality in Black communities.
To continue reading
Request your trial