Family Socialization, Race, and Inequality in the United States

Dawn P. Witherspoon, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and former McCourtney Early Career Professor of Psychology at Penn State. Dr. Witherspoon is also the Director of PACT, Parents and Children Together, a community-university partnership to enhance the lives of diverse children, youth, and families in the greater Harrisburg, PA region. Her research focuses on the ways in which families and youth are influenced by the contexts in which they are embedded, particularly focusing on how neighborhood, family, and race/ethnicity-related factors affect adolescents’ academic, psycho-social, and behavioral well-being.

Susan M. McHale, Ph.D., is Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Human Development and Professor of Demography at Penn State. Her research focuses on children's and adolescents' family roles, relationships, and daily experiences and how these family dynamics are linked to youth development and adjustment. Dr. McHale’s research highlights family gender dynamics and the role of sociocultural practices and values in youth development and well-being.

Valarie King, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Demography, and Human Development and Family Studies and an Associate of the Population Research Institute at Penn State. Her research focuses on intergenerational relationships across the life course and their implications for the health, well-being, and development of family members. Dr. King’s most recent work focuses on elucidating the factors that promote the development of strong ties between children and their stepfathers, and the ways in which stepfathers can promote children’s well-being.