2025 NCFR Annual Conference

Wed.–Sat., Nov. 19–22, 2025 | Preconference workshops: Tues., Nov. 18
Baltimore, Maryland | Marriott Waterfront

Program Chair: Sadguna Anasuri, Ph.D., CFLE, Alabama A&M University

The United States has a deep-seated history of systemic oppression and disparities in power and privilege. Power, in this social context, refers specifically to the ability to control access to resources and opportunities. Society often characterizes groups with less power or privilege are often characterized as marginalized, oppressed, or disadvantaged and face systematic disenfranchisement, invisibility, dehumanization, and exploitation. In contrast, groups with greater power and privilege are viewed as dominant or advantaged, granting them disproportionate access to resources. This difference raises a fundamental question: how can genuine equality be achieved when one group is inherently positioned as superior to others? 

Societal structures are continuously shaped by various factors, reinforcing divisions between those who hold power and privilege and those who are marginalized. These divisions have been historically maintained through stratification based on wealth, education, land ownership, race, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, and their past. Despite notable advancements within the United States, systemic bias, prejudice, and discriminatory practices against individuals who diverge from dominant social norms remain entrenched within society. These distinctions now span a broader spectrum, extending beyond race and ethnicity to religion, political ideology, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, language, and other social markers. Consequently, the contemporary social milieu continues to perpetuate critical injustices, including racial profiling, police brutality, mass incarceration, social incivility, and the inhumane treatment of immigrant families, among other egregious violations of human rights.

Amidst these systemic issues, the 2025 NCFR Annual Conference theme aspires to elucidate often-overlooked issues within a secure and constructive framework, fostering rigorous discourse among scholars and practitioners. This conference serves as a critical platform for examining the implications of these dialogues for both practical applications and policy formulation. Each plenary session will comprehensively analyze the intersections among race, economy, and education, and explore the ramifications for power relations, privilege, and social differences. 

The conference theme encompasses a wide range of topics, including access, disparities, equality, incivility, inequality, power, privilege, and tolerance within the context of families (for further information, please visit ncfr.org). Conference submissions are encouraged to include substantive insights to inform practice and policy in these complex and interconnected areas, ultimately advancing the field's understanding of these critical issues.

The conference aspires to create opportunities for researchers, theorists, and practitioners in the family field to enhance their understanding and effectiveness in fostering meaningful change within their communities. I hope participants engage in critical analyses of the lived experiences of families, highlighting the significance of social differences and historical disparities. Together, we will thoroughly examine evidence-based strategies to address systemic barriers and promote social equity.