# Critical Reflection into Action: Facilitating Conditions of Antiracist Action among White Youth in the Netherlands

## TL;DR

This study explores how critical reflection on racism leads to antiracist actions among white youth in the Netherlands.

## Contribution

The study identifies critical motivation as a key factor strengthening the link between reflection and antiracist action.

## Key findings

- Higher critical motivation strengthens the link between critical reflection and antiracist action.
- Parental socialization and intergroup friendships did not moderate the reflection-action relationship.
- Boosting motivation is a promising way to foster antiracism in white youth.

## Abstract

Critical reflection is a necessary yet not sufficient prerequisite for critical action, but little is known about conditions that facilitate associations between the two. This study investigates when associations between critical reflection on racism and antiracist action among White youth in the Netherlands are stronger, examining critical motivation, parental ethnic-racial socialization, and intergroup friendships as facilitating conditions. 338 17–21-years old White youth (M = 19.44, SD = 1.28, 73% female) participated in a survey study. The identified positive association between critical reflection and action was stronger for youth with higher levels of critical motivation. Parental ethnic-racial socialization and intergroup friendships, in contrast, did not moderate the association. Boosting critical motivation seems a promising avenue to fostering antiracism among White youth.