Racial Identity in Biracial Children A Qualitative Investigation

• Published in: Journal of counseling psychology Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 221 - 231
• Main Authors: Kerwin, Christine, Ponterotto, Joseph G, Jackson, Barbara L, Harris, Abigail
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-04-1993
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biracial children; Black People; Child development; Differential and comparative psychology; Elementary School Students; Elementary Secondary Education; Ethnic Identity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human; Interracial Offspring; Multiracial Persons; Parents; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychosocial Development; Qualitative research; Race; Racial Identification; Racial Identity; Secondary School Students; Social research; White People; Human; Admixture; Adolescent; Race; Personal identity; Self perception; Personality; Social belonging; Child; Ethnic group; Social identity
• ISSN: 0022-0167; 1939-2168
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-0167.40.2.221

This article describes a qualitative study of issues salient in the development of racial identity for schoolchildren of Black/White racial heritage. Semistructured interviews were conducted individually with 9 Black/White biracial children and their parents (a total of 6 families). Major findings from this study tend to run counter to problems conjectured in the counseling and related literature. For example, in contrast to deficit models, participant children and adolescents did not appear to perceive themselves as "marginal" in 2 cultures. The majority of participant children, adolescents, and adults demonstrated sensitivity to the views, cultures, and values of both the Black and White communities. Developmental transitions associated with different ages were identified. Emergent themes yielded hypotheses with implications for future research.