ERIC Number: ED345195
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1991-Apr-6
Pages: 20
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
An Exploration into the Dynamics of Identity Development of Biracial Adolescents.
Westcott, Nina A.
This exploratory study began by postulating a theoretical model of the dynamics of racial identity choice by biracial children based on the literature cited and counseling experience with biracial children in public educational institutions in Hawaii. The structured interview approach was used with high school students (N=50). A questionnaire sought information on personal and parental demographics, awareness of biracialism, parental racial group identification, and emotions related to being biracial. Results indicated that in this sample of biracial children, subjects had established a racial identity based on the racial identity of one or the other parent, albeit some subjects needed to make additional efforts to do so. One of the shortcomings of this data was that it failed to ask the "who has custody" question for subjects who came from divorced families. The findings of the study suggest that chronological age may be a variable in the biracial child's readiness to accept his or her biracial status. For the most part it appeared that the adolescents in this study had established a dominant racial group identity but were appreciative of their biracial status and were making or had made overtures to broaden their racial group identification. (ABL)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the No Na'Oihana Kokaa Conference (Honolulu, HI, April 6, 1991).