The Innocence Initiative is designed to educate and build awareness about adultification bias. Adultification bias is a form of racial prejudice where Black and Brown children are treated by adults as being more mature than they actually are. Black girls are disproportionately affected by adultification bias. We elevate the data, amplify the real-life stories of Black girls, and address disparities that perpetuate adultification through advocacy and training.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Adultification bias stems from deeply ingrained stereotypes that unfairly depict Black and Brown children as older and more mature than they actually are. This harmful perception often results in these children facing stricter disciplinary action, increased scrutiny, and less empathy and support compared to their white peers.

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15X

Black girls are 15 times more likely than white girls to experience a school-related arrest*

4.5X

Law enforcement officers are 4.5 times more likely to overestimate the age of Black and Hispanic boys than white boys**

18X

Black children are 18 times more likely to be tried as adults compared to white children**

* Source: Morris, E. W., & Perry, B. L. (2017). Girls behaving badly? Race, gender, and subjective evaluation in the discipline of African American girls. Sociology of Education, 90(2), 127-148. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038040717694876
** Source: Goff, P. A., Jackson, M. C., Di Leone, B. A., Culotta, C. M., & DiTomasso, N. A. (2014). The essence of innocence: Consequences of dehumanizing Black children. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(4), 526–545. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035663

BLACK GIRLS ARE SEEN AS LESS INNOCENT

as early as age

5

Source: Girlhood Interrupted: The erasure of Black Girls’ Childhood. Rebecca Epstein Jamilia J Blake Thalia Gonzalez Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality.

ADULTIFICATION BIAS

Adultification bias is defined as a “social or cultural stereotype that is based on how adults perceive children in the absence of knowledge of children’s behavior and verbalization.” When society embraces harmful stereotypes for people of the global majority (replaces people of color) — Black women are promiscuous”; Black people are violent and criminal” — these stereotypes are also applied to children..

IN THE CLASS ROOM

Black girls are 6 times more likely to receive out of school suspensions than their White counterparts. As early as age 5, Black girls are viewed by adults as more knowledgeable about sex and adult topics, less in need of nurture and support, and significantly older than white girls of the same age. Source: Center for American Progress, 2013.

Measure Bill

IN THE STATE

Measure is committed to promoting equitable policies that improve outcomes for Black girls. Whether it’s through investments in education, healthcare, or juvenile justice reform, we believe that targeted policies have the potential to create a more just and equitable society for Black girls to thrive.

SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE

15X

Black female students are 15 times more likely than white female students to be subjected to a school-related arrest

10X

Black girls are 10 times more likely than their white counterparts to be expelled under zero-tolerance policies

5YO

As early as age 5, Black girls are viewed by adults as more knowledgeable about sex and adult topics, less in need of nurture and support and significantly older than white girls of the same age

Source: Edward W. Morris & Brea L. Perry, Girl Behaving Badly? Race, Gender & Subjective Evaluation in the Discipline of Af. Am. Girls.

#OURGIRLSNEEDUS

The Innocence Initiative is a collaboration that will elevate the data, listen to the real-life stories of Black girls, and address disparities that perpetuate adultification through advocacy, training, and a public awareness campaign.