Black Maternal Health Disparities, Structural Racism, and Black Family Stability: An Intersectionality Approach to Theorizing and Critical Praxis

ABSTRACT Researchers across disciplines are identifying and paying attention to linkages between structural racism and Black maternal health disparities to improve health outcomes for Black pregnant women. Few of them, however, are addressing how those disparities influence Black family stability. I present a conceptual model to help family scientists visualize the pathways and processes of how exosystemic stressors disrupt family stability but also serve as starting points for critical praxis and community mobilization. Stressors include the school‐to‐prison pipeline and influences of abortion bans on child outcomes. I pay particular attention to (a) the impact historical oppression in health care has on Black women, and (b) the critical praxis happening within Black communities to support Black women's health and family stability. I conclude with recommendations for family scientists to use to support those community‐based, critical praxis efforts. I interpret the model through an intersectional, Black feminist lens.