Structural Racism and the Transition to Adulthood of Black and White Brazilians

Abstract

This chapter addresses structural racism and the process of entry into adulthood for young black people, in light of the concept of emerging adulthood. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 746 young Brazilians aged between 18 and 30 years (M = 23.54, SD = + − 3.47), from different regions of the country. Black young Brazilians presented lower indicators of socioeconomic status, work situation, social support, and quality of life in comparison to their white counterparts. There were no differences between them except in levels of mental disorders. Results are discussed from a developmental perspective, taking into account racial, psychological, and sociodemographic aspects to grasp black and white young Brazilians’ developmental contexts of transition to adulthood.