A multiracial individual is a person with parents from different racial or ethnic backgrounds. To some of us that are not multiracial we may think it is no big deal because the times have changed and the racial discrimination may not be as severe as it used to be. There was an increase in biracial babies in the United States starting in 1967, this was the year the last laws against mixing races were repealed. Now one out of seven marriages involve partners of different racial or ethnic backgrounds. (Sue & Sue, 2013, p. 427) Yet there is always an underlying identity question in the United States of ‘What are you?’ which can affect the identity development of a multiracial individual. Identity development, specifically multiracial identity …show more content…
development, is an important area. Even if multiracial issues are not the main focus of the therapy, the multiracial client may benefit from exploring this area and having some intervention, if needed. Identity development is a lifelong journey, beginning in early childhood and continuing into adulthood. The goal of this process is to answer “Who am I?” On the surface this sounds simple, but for many people it is a difficult question to answer. An individual's identity is complex and consists of several different aspects or domains. As reviewed in a textbook by Tatum, Erikson stressed the impact of cultural, historical, and social context on identity development. According to Erickson, “identity formation employs a process of simultaneous reflection and observation, a process taking place on all levels of mental functioning in which the individual contemplates how others (society) perceive him and how he perceives himself.” According to Tatum, one's identity is “shaped by individual characteristics, family dynamics, historical factors, and social and political context.” Examples include race, temperament, gender, age, intact or divorced family, community environment, exposure, socioeconomic class, sexual preference, religious beliefs, and present social and political climate. (Tatum, 2003, p. 18) Most of what we think about ourselves is linked to how we believe others perceive us and the feelings related with their views. If we take in negative messages from our relationships with those whom we are supposed to connect, positive identity development is hard to accomplish. Identity is a lifelong process that may vary depending on who we are associated with and how we view ourselves within that group. Identity development begins at birth, becomes more noticeable during adolescence, but continues to change throughout adulthood. Self-Identity is very important because it effects our awareness, behavior, and how we relate to others during our lifetime. (Hud-Aleem & Countryman, 2008) For a society that is always telling us to be original and be ourselves, whoever that may be, is quick to ask individuals an almost every form we fill out what race you are and if you are or are not Hispanic. The one drop of blood rule is an old perspective in this country that says if you have one drop of black blood you will be classified as black despite what you look like. There was a college professor, who taught cultural anthropology that used to start the semester by introducing himself as “the three B’s – Black, Blind and broke.” He was obviously blind because he entered the room with a service dog and a white stick, but his skin was so white he almost looked albino. He was introducing the class to the one drop rule, his great-great-great-grandmother was an African American slave, and this made him black by the one drop rule. The one drop rule started by White European settlers to maintain racial purity and superiority mainly focused against Native Americans and Blacks. (Sue & Sue, 2013, p. 428) Rules like this, One Drop Rule, force a racial identity upon multiracial people whether or not they identify with that racial group. The effects this can have on a child’s identity development can be detrimental. Children will usually choose the path of least resistance when answering the question of what are you, if they say biracial and this produces more questions they will usually lean to answer whatever they think the person asking is looking for as an answer. By identifying themselves in this way often this will cause turmoil within themselves because they are denying part of their heritage. (Sue & Sue, 2013, p. 429) According to the American Anthropological Association, despite evidence to the contrary, people have been conditioned to view human races as natural and separate divisions. The “physical variations in the human species have no meaning except the social ones that humans put on them.” (American, 2008) Race concepts became noticeable in the US in the 1700’s to define the different populations in colonial times in America. Race was used to validate detrimental outlooks and the poor treatment of enslaved people. Subordinate and negative characteristics were associated with the enslaved and superior characteristics were associated with the Europeans to support the subservience of one racial group in relation to another. This belief has become engrained in American society/culture. (American, 2008) These perceptions of race did not go away with the ending of slavery or with the civil rights era. It is argued that some of these opinions are still present today but are subtle and discreet, intentional and unintentional. (American, 2008) Because of the important role race plays in our society, understanding racial identity is important and should not be overlooked when working with any client in therapy. There are many Racial Identity Development (RID) theories. Cross created one of the most popular Racial Identity Development theories, the Nigrescence Model of African American Identity. It is most often discussed as the People of Color Racial Identity Model (PCRIM). The revised model theorized that self-concept is made of two parts: personal identity and reference group orientation/group identity, which can differ from personal identity and have degrees of importance depending on the individual. Personal identity refers to general personality traits and is reflected in “measures of general personality, psychopathology, and self-esteem.” (Hud-Aleem & Countryman, 2008, p. 39) Reference Group Orientation/group identity refers to the group memberships that a person has in society. A person can have more than one group membership that can “include race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. The White Racial Identity Development models are based on these assumptions: “Racism is integral to US life and permeates all aspects of our institutions and culture. Whites are socialized into society and therefore inherit the biases, stereotypes, and racist attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of the larger society. How whites perceive themselves and process their reactions as racial beings follows an identifiable sequence that can occur in progressive (linear) or non-progressive (nonlinear) fashion. White racial identity status will affect an individual's interracial interactions and relationships. The desirable outcome of the white racial identity development process is that individuals accept their status as white persons in a racist society and define their identity in a nonracist manner.” (Ponterotto, 2006, p.92) There have been differing views on the applying of one racial identity development models for biracial or multiracial individuals.
Poston created the first biracial identity development model and suggests that biracial individuals will experience periods of maladjustment and conflict during their developmental process. Poston's Biracial Identity Development Model includes the following five stages of development: “personal identity, choice of group categorization; enmeshment/denial, appreciation, and integration.”(Hud-Aleem & Countryman, 2008, p. 42)
“Personal identity occurs during childhood when the child is not aware of his or her mixed heritage. Choice of group categorization occurs as a result of numerous influences (e.g., parents, peers, community, and society). It is during this stage that the individual feels pressured to choose one racial or ethnic group identity over another.
Enmeshment/denial occurs because the individual feels guilty and disloyal for choosing one group over another, subsequently denying the differences between the racial groups and identify with both racial groups. Some individuals who largely identify with one group may explore the other group and grow to appreciate it during the fourth stage. In the fifth stage of this model, integration, the individual may still identify with one group but appreciate “the integration of their multiple racial identities.”( Miville, 2006,
p.77-78) Implications for Clinical Practice In the book, Counseling the Culturally Diverse, Sue gives ten possible implications in counseling multiracial individuals. Multiracial/biracial individuals deal with the stress of racism along with stressors related to their multiple race identity. The following are the ten guidelines listed in the book In conclusion, Biracial/multiracial individuals share a unique experience of not only not being able to identify with one group they usually are a mix of two conflicting groups of people. This country most of the time still follows the archaic One Drop Rule when asking people to choose a race. As a mother of two beautiful biracial little girls it makes me mad to think that they will classified as black only. To me that is the same as denying their heritage from me. I understand they will form their own racial identity as the grow up but I always tell them and others they are biracial and if someone wants to ask more questions I tell them I am from Ireland and their father is from Liberia and that is the way I will teach them to describe their ethnicity. I love all parts of my daughters and I make sure to teach them through stories and books of their Irish heritage and I encourage their father to do the same about their Liberian heritage. I was always taught in a very proud way of my Irish roots growing up and I do the same with them, I do not want them to deny any part of themselves. However, I can see how a biracial person can go through internal turmoil over racial identity, especially in this country where race still plays a major role in society. The main thing to remember in working with multiracial clients, as with any other minority, knowing our own biases and shortcomings when it comes to other people is the best way for us to grow and change as therapist. Learn about other cultures and worldviews also helps us develop as multicultural therapists.
After reading Alsultany’s “Los Intersticios: Recasting Moving Selves,” I realized that there are many misconceptions among those who have single or mixed racial background. For individuals who have more than one races, it may seem that they are at an advantage since they have luxury to take side with which ever race they choose. However, it actually results in a constant aggravation when one is constantly questioned about their race. Alsultany was asked by her classmate about her racial background. It was apparent that her classmate confirmed in her mind that Alsultany was different from her since she didn’t supposedly fit the description of a typical American, despite mentioning that she was born and raised in the U.S. This further strengthened
This scholarly article discusses a study done on biracial identity development in children. The article discusses “the similarities and differences between Black and White racial identity development in the United States and address special challenges for the biracial child.” I hope to use it as a source when discussing the struggle to form an specific identity
One of Beverly Tatum's major topics of discussion is racial identity. Racial identity is the meaning each of us has constructed or is constructing about what it means to be a white person or a person of color in a race-conscious society. (Tatum, pp Xvii) She talks about how many parents hesitate to talk to their children about racism because of embarrassment and the awkwardness of the subject. I agree with her when she says that parents don't want to talk about racism when they don't see a problem. They don't want to create fear or racism where none may exist. It is touchy subject because if not gone about right, you can perhaps steer someone the wrong way. Another theory she has on racial identity is that other people are the mirror in which we see ourselves. (tatum pp18) 'The parts of our identity that do capture our attention are those that other people notice, and that reflects back to us.'; (Tatum pp21) What she means by this is that what other people tell us we are like is what we believe. If you are told you are stupid enough you might start to question your intelligence. When people are searching for their identity normally the questions 'who am I now?'; 'Who was I before?'; and 'who will I become'; are the first that come to mind. When a person starts to answer these questions their answers will influence their beliefs, type of work, where they may live, partners, as well as morals. She also mentions an experiment where she asked her students to describe themselves in sixty seconds. Most used descriptive words like friendly, shy, intelligent, but students of color usually state there racial or ethnic group, while white students rarely, if ever mention that they are white. Women usually mention that they are female while males usually don't think to say that they are males. The same situation appeared to take place when the topic of religious beliefs came up. The Jewish students mentioned being Je...
This model examines the relationship between the dominant culture and one with minority status, such as Latinos. Attitudes towards self, same minority group, different minority groups, and the dominant group are examined through five stages within the model. These include conformity, dissonance, resistance and immersion, introspection, and integrative awareness. The stage most pertinent to Antonio at this time is the Dissonance stage. During this stage, one starts to acknowledge the existence of racism, that he cannot escape his own heritage, and experiences conflict between shame and pride felt for his culture. This same shame versus pride conflict is also extended to members of his own minority group. Held stereotypes about other minority groups are now questioned as well. One in the Dissonance stage is also starting to realize that not all beliefs held by the dominant group are valuable or even accurate (Sue & Sue, 2003). Because of the two incidents Antonio endured during his freshman year and their emotional impact on him, he is becoming aware that even though he has “assimilated,” others of the majority group will still identify him as different. Antonio is also experiencing conflict between what members of the minority group (his parents) and the majority group feel are important; his parents believe he
Race and ethnicity is a main factor in the way we identify others and ourselves. The real question here is does race/ethnicity still matter in the U.S.? For some groups race is not a factor that affects them greatly and for others it is a constant occurrence in their mind. But how do people of mix race reacts to this concept, do they feel greatly affected by their race? This is the question we will answer throughout the paper. I will first examine the battle of interracial relationship throughout history and explain how the history greatly explains the importance of being multiracial today. This includes the backlash and cruelty towards interracial couple and their multiracial children. Being part of a multiracial group still contains its impact in today’s society; therefore race still remaining to matter to this group in the U.S. People who place themselves in this category are constantly conflicted with more than one cultural backgrounds and often have difficulty to be accepted.
This stage of my adolescent life was very memorable. This was the time when my life was becoming more complicated as I struggled to find my own racial identity, and constantly questioning myself, “Who am I?” “Where do I belong?” while facing the pressure of “fitting in” as a biracial teen in prejudicial Asian society.
Living in a world where African Americans are judged because of their skin color, while whites are passed by with no other thought is confusing. What do people think when they see me? I am biracial, and because of this, I’ve faced the struggle of having to explain my races to those who can’t tell, or just make an incorrect assumption. It’s not a bad thing, having two races and two cultures, because I’ve been open to multiple traditions my entire life, but sometimes it’s hard not being considered a whole person because I’m not considered one race or the other. Being biracial has shaped my life experience and the way I see the world in countless ways.
In conclusion, for this week assignment, I have discussed the interactions of gender, ethnicity, and identity development. I will also discuss the role of stereotyping and how it influences male and female gender identity. In addition, I will discuss the impact that ethnicity and gender have on children when it comes to choosing between the ethnic identity of their family of origin and their culture.
Race, as a general understanding is classifying someone based on how they look rather than who they are. It is based on a number of things but more than anything else it’s based on skin's melanin content. A “race” is a social construction which alters over the course of time due to historical and social pressures. Racial formation is defined as how race shapes and is shaped by social structure, and how racial categories are represented and given meaning in media, language and everyday life. Racial formation is something that we see changing overtime because it is rooted in our history. Racial formation also comes with other factors below it like racial projects. Racial projects seek
“When Race Becomes Even More Complex: Toward Understanding the Landscape of Multiracial Identity and Experiences”
What is identity? Identity is an unbound formation which is created by racial construction and gender construction within an individual’s society even though it is often seen as a controlled piece of oneself. In Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum’s piece, “The Complexity of Identity: ‘Who Am I?’, Tatum asserts that identity is formed by “individual characteristics, family dynamics, historical factors, and social and political contexts” (Tatum 105). Tatum’s piece, “The Complexity of Identity: ‘Who Am I?’” creates a better understanding of how major obstacles such as racism and sexism shape our self identity.
In today’s society, it is acknowledgeable to assert that the concepts of race and ethnicity have changed enormously across different countries, cultures, eras, and customs. Even more, they have become less connected and tied with ancestral and familial ties but rather more concerned with superficial physical characteristics. Moreover, a great deal can be discussed the relationship between ethnicity and race. Both race and ethnicity are useful and counterproductive in their ways. To begin, the concept of race is, and its ideas are vital to society because it allows those contemporary nationalist movements which include, racist actions; to become more familiar to members of society. Secondly, it has helped to shape and redefine the meaning of
Race and ethnicity are two terms that are constantly used in today’s society. Understanding these terms can help people to recognize that color of skin or color of hair does not define a person. These terms connect with history, social interaction, and the overall make up of a person. However America is constantly obsessed with labeling people by the way that they look or the way that they act. America seems to encourage the terms race and ethnicity and continue to divide people into categories. It is interesting to comprehend these terms because they are not going to disappear any time soon. Race and ethnicity are apart of America’s history and will be a part of the future.
Times are changing and I feel like I am forced to conform to the everyday social norms of America, which makes me feel impuissance. Racial identity, which refers to identifying with a social group with similar phenotypes and racial category, is the only experience that I have with life (Organista, 2010). Racial ethnicity was used to build my self-esteem and to keep me in the dark when it came to how society treats individuals of darker complexion. However, once I left the confines of my family and neighborhood, I was forced to befriend and interact with individuals that had different cultural values and beliefs than me. This experience caused me to learn how to appreciate other racial and ethnic groups and their cultural values and belief. This is an accurate definition, of acculturation because I was able to understand and fit in with individuals different from me, while maintaining my own culture and ethnic identity. Therefore, knowing the importance of my ancestry, while acculturating and developing my own identity was all used
Being able to identify with a certain group has been an issue that individuals hesitate with daily. Am I Black, are you a girl, what religion do you practice? These are all common questions that society has forced individuals to concentrate on. Should an individual have to pick a side or is it relevant to the human race to identify with any group? One may believe not, but for others having and knowing one’s own identity is important, because it is something that they have been developing their entire life. Along with how their identity influenced their life chances and their self-esteem. This can also affect how society interact with whatever identity an individual chooses to live. Which is why it was important to recognize how identifying