Abstract
In this chapter I examine the meaning and impact of race in societal systems, family life, and therapeutic relationships through critical race theory (CRT) and critical decolonizing frameworks. CRT is foundational to understanding race in the USA. Decolonizing theory expands the conversation to a global level. I explore white privilege within this framework. I then discuss multiracial families as a special topic followed by a case study and implications for the practice of family therapy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bell, D. (1980). Brown v board of education and the interest-convergence dilemma. Harvard Law Review, 93(3), 518–533.
Bemal, D. (2002). Critical race theory: Latino critical theory, and critical raced-gendered epistemologies: Recognizing students of color as holders and creators of knowledge. Qualitative Inquiry, 8(1), 105–125.
Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2012). Critical race theory: An introduction (2nd ed). New York: New York University Press.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Continuum.
Harris, C. (1993). Whiteness as property. Harvard law Review, 106, 1707–1791.
Korin, E. C. (1994). Social inequalities and therapeutic relationships: Applying Freire’s ideas to clinical practice. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 5(3/4), 75–98.
Ladson-Billings, G., & Tate, W. (1995). Toward a critical race theory of education. Teachers College Record, 97(1), 47–68.
McDowell, T. (2004). Exploring the racial experiences of graduate trainees: A critical race theory perspective. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 32(4), 305–324.
McDowell, T., & Jeris, L. (2004). Talking about race using critical race theory: Recent trends in the journal of marital and family therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(1), 81–94.
McDowell, T., & Fang, S. (2007). Feminist informed critical multiculturalism: Considerations for family research. Journal of Family Issues, 28(4), 549–566.
McDowell, T., Dashiell, W., Holland, C., Ingoglia, L., Serizawa, T., & Stevens, C. (2005). Raising multiracial awareness in family therapy through critical conversations. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 31(4), 399–411.
Root, M. P. P. (1996). The multiracial experience: Racial borders as the new frontier. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 American Family Therapy Academy
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
McDowell, T. (2015). Race and Family Therapy. In: Applying Critical Social Theories to Family Therapy Practice. AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15633-0_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15633-0_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15632-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15633-0
eBook Packages: Behavioral ScienceBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)