Setting the Stage for Hate: Racist Socialization in the Family Prior to Entering Violent Extremism

• In Event: Radicalization and Violent Extremism

Abstract

Despite progress toward fairness and equality, hate groups continue to thrive in the U.S. Relying on in-depth life history interviews with a sample of former white supremacists (n=44), we explore family socialization as part of a multidimensional pathway toward the onset of violent extremism. More specifically, we assess the role of families in terms of exposing, sensitizing, and conditioning a person toward racial and prejudicial attitudes consistent with white supremacist groups. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of our sample were not raised in families directly involved with extremist organizations. Understanding these dynamics provides further insight into the complex role of the family as a mechanism towards violent extremism.

Authors

• Michael K. Logan, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Pete Simi, Chapman University

• Steven Windisch, University of Nebraska at Omaha