KQED's Forum ‘Inherited Inequality’ Challenges the Idea That Two-Parent Homes Are Key to Kids’ Success
Sep 23, 2025
Christina Cross, an associate professor of sociology at Harvard University and author of "Inherited Inequality," delves into the misconceptions surrounding family structure and racial inequality. She challenges the notion that two-parent households are solely responsible for children's success, highlighting systemic issues like discrimination in housing and education. Cross discusses how the Moynihan Report shaped policies that unfairly target Black families and emphasizes the significant role of income in opportunity gaps. Her insights reveal the necessity of a broader understanding of family dynamics in addressing racial disparities.
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Cross's Personal Origin Story
- Christina Cross recounts growing up raised by a single mother and feeling unseen in a conservative community.
- That experience shaped her interest in how narratives blame families rather than structural causes.
Extended Families Are Common And Overlooked
- Extended-family and multigenerational living is statistically common for Black children and shapes caregiving resources.
- About 60% of Black children spend time living with extended relatives, a norm often ignored by policy.
Broaden Policy Definitions Of Family
- Expand policy definitions of family to include extended and chosen kin when designing benefits like family leave.
- Update programs so caregivers beyond spouse/child qualify for protections and paid time off.
