Media, Mothers and Mixedness: Exploring Multiracial Identity Development

• In Event: 3556 - Multiracial Classification/Identity

Abstract

There is a wide range of research in the social sciences on multiracial identity. Previous studies have explored the issue from a variety of different perspectives, including psychological and social well-being of the multiracial individuals, the identity choices of the parents for their multiracial children, and the factors that influence the identity development of multiracial people, while often looking primarily at U.S. born Black-White or White-Asian multiracial individuals. This current study focuses on the role of parents and other outside influences, exploring the relationship between their racial identity formation, the race and gender combination of their parents, and the racialized and gendered messages and representations in media and popular culture. This paper expands the discussion through in-depth interviews with 17 young women with parents of different races, who live or attend school in New York City. Through analysis of their narratives, the pivotal role of mothers, the impact of social media as a source of community, and the importance of an intersectional approach emerged as themes, which are previously understudied.

Authors

• Erica Chito Childs, City University of New York-Hunter College and The Graduate Center

• Alyssa Lyons, City University of New York-The Graduate Center

• Stephanie Laudone, Borough of Manhattan Community College