The view of “white privilege” deals with a formed perspective and viewpoint from an individual or group with the belief that their ethnicity is superior and has privileges compared to another. This can come from a variety of factors to include general socialization, generational social conditioning, and family conditioning, community influence, lack of world exposure outside community and lack of education. Any individual factor or combination can have a significant impact on how people perceive their environment. Below, I will describe further several of the factors that contribute to a white privilege mindset.

General socialization

The belief that one’s own minority is superior can be a common circumstance when there are others around who seem to support this mind set. This can occur in a small way, such as if there is a certain accent detected or style of dress associated with white people in the area.

Generational social conditioning

It is easy for people to “identify” with the norm of the current time. There are some elderly who may still be attached to prior white privilege views from an older time. Some of the people who experienced a time of white privilege may come from a prior generational view and may now have decided to not change their views for whatever reasons, such as they viewed it easier to do. 

Family conditioning

Family can have the most powerful impact on an individual because it is the first place people usually begin interacting with others from whom they need support and relationships. Relationships and views within those relationships can help dictate how you view others within the world.  

Community influence

The near community can be a powerful influence outside of the family, especially when it is small and lacks diversity. It can influence views such as white privilege what there has been witnessed preferential treatment towards people of white descent.

Lack of world exposure from community

This is one of the most common reasons for a view of “white privilege” because the individuals or groups have formed their perception on what they believe to be true with a combination of life factors related to their family, community and then possibly school and job. But typically it is the family and community that have a larger influence, if in a larger United States city where school and work have a growing diverse atmosphere and therein more exposure.

Lack of education

Being “ignorant” with the belief that white ethnicities are superior won’t last when someone is educated on areas such as the American history and civil rights through the 19th to 21st centuries. But someone may be susceptible to this if they lack education in this area.