Defining Imbalance and Disparity
Imbalance refers to a phenomenon where a particular race or ethnic group shows up in a greater or smaller percentage than that group's proportion of the population. Imbalance may be defined as an "overrepresentation or underrepresentation of a race or ethnic group compared with its percentage in the total population".
The reasons behind imbalance can be varied but knowing an imbalance exists is the first step to ensuring that everyone has access to the support and resources they need.
Disparity is different from imbalance. It’s defined as "less favorable outcomes of one race or ethnic group compared with outcomes for another race or ethnic group." Disparity may indicate that there is something needed to ensure the most helpful and relevant supports are available for that group.
Imbalance and disparities are found in systems such as child welfare, special education, juvenile justice, criminal justice, and health care. There are more African Americans and Native Americans in these systems than their percentage of the general population would indicate, and their outcomes are less favorable than those of other populations. This is true both nationally and in Texas.
In Texas, data shows a higher percentage of African American children:
- Are more likely to be reported.
- Are more likely to be investigated.
- Are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
- Don’t return home to their families.
- Grow up in foster care without being adopted or finding another permanent home.
Is Imbalance a Symptom of a Larger Social Problem?
The causes of imbalance are complex and cross many social systems. Some scholars think family risks, the impact of biases, system processes and community resources, and geographic context all play a role.
The child protection system, justice system, education system, and other systems must work together to address these issues, particularly when the children, youth, and families are frequently served by these systems simultaneously. Child Protective Investigations and Child Protective Services work with local, regional, state, tribal, and national agencies across many systems to identify common issues, eliminate barriers to community services for all Texans, and work strategically to eliminate disparities.