The poison of racism and the self‐poisoning of adolescents

This paper describes the effect of racism on families when children reach adolescence. It is suggested that racism may contribute to distortions of the process by which adolescents, especially girls, negotiate increased autonomy. Racism may increase parental protectiveness, which is resisted by adolescent children. Sometimes this may lead to conflict culminating in a crisis in which the adolescent attempts suicide by overdosing. Symbolic aspects of racism, family and individual boundary maintenance and overdosing are discussed. Some implications for the therapy of families who have experienced racism are described.