Critical race theory in human development and family science

The field of human development and family science (HDFS) conducts interdisciplinary research that has substantially benefited children and families. However, like other disciplines, in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, HDFS has begun to deeply reflect on its relationship to race and racism. In this paper, we aim to help with this process. We do so by summarizing the history of HDFS and its present relationship with race and racism. We then introduce Critical Race Theory and highlight two foundational tenets of the framework—social construction of race and structural racism—that serve as the motivation for a set of 12 actionable recommendations to enhance the study of race in HDFS and promote racial equity within the research and publication process.