25-Mar-2026
Parental advice on interacting with police varies widely by race
Rutgers UniversityThe birds and the bees. Say no to drugs. Advice from parents is an expected, if cringeworthy, part of growing up.
But for some children, the odds of receiving one piece of parental wisdom known as “The Talk” – strategies for safely handling a police encounter – is heavily influenced by a child’s race and gender.
A study from Rutgers University-New Brunswick quantifies just how much influence these factors play.
“The advice parents give their kids about interacting with police – hands on the wheel, no quick or furtive movements – is shaped by lived experiences,” said Ashley Jackson, an assistant professor in the Rutgers School of Social Work and the lead author of the study published in Youth & Society. “It also changes by gender and race.”
- Journal
- Youth & Society
- Funder
- National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice