Description of how multiracial individuals are similar to and different from other groups; be sure to address identity development
Multiracial individuals develop their identity in similar was as other members of the population; however, they also have distinct experiences that form their identity as well. In general, the similarities of multiracial individuals include the development of identity around their race, as do other populations. People of Color, Whites and White Ethnic Groups all have the potential to move through stages of racial identity development that include a form of awareness, conflict and tension, integration and social action. For example, Sue and Sue (2013) discuss the Racial/Cultural Identity Development (R/CID) model …show more content…
The naïveté stage includes a White individual being unaware of racial differences outside of the physical difference one sees. In the acceptance stage, the White individual begins to believe in the superiority of their own race due to the belief in a fair and equal society where responsibility of success being placed upon the non-White individuals in society. Conflicts in beliefs begin to arise in the resistance stage, and questioning one’s beliefs and position begins in the redefinition stage. Finally, a new social identity and commitment to social action is what is formed in the redefinition stage. Also important to note is the identity identification of White Ethnic groups. White Ethnic groups do have distinct cultural identities that, either by assumption or by choice, become non-salient when the White Protestant Anglo-Saxon identity is used to increase their status. Although there are many other White cultural identity development models, they each include stages and include moving through unawareness, to conflict and tension around current notions of White dominant values and beliefs, to integration and commitment to actions that are …show more content…
However, there is also the possibility that multiracial individuals could have similarities in their identity, thereby going through the White Racial Identity development, and move through the stages of being unaware to a commitment to anti-racist actions. Finally, a process of identity development for multiracial individuals who choose to identify as mixed-raced/biracial have the potential to, as Aldarand0 (2002) describe as still moving through the various unawareness/self-negating, conflict/tension, integration, and social actions stages along with their appreciating aspects of their various racial identities and fusing them together to form their multiracial identity.
The major issues, themes, needs, and challenges faced by multiracial individuals are many. The challenges of multiracial individuals include potential rejection and isolation due to their multiple racial heritages. They also face the potential of experiencing racism and having an identity placed upon them by various monoracial groups. These stressors can cause multiracial individuals to experience depression, guilt, shame and other psychological issues (Sue & Sue, 2013). Due to these challenges, multiracial individuals need a community
Multiracial individuals develop their identity in similar was as other members of the population; however, they also have distinct experiences that form their identity as well. In general, the similarities of multiracial individuals include the development of identity around their race, as do other populations. People of Color, Whites and White Ethnic Groups all have the potential to move through stages of racial identity development that include a form of awareness, conflict and tension, integration and social action. For example, Sue and Sue (2013) discuss the Racial/Cultural Identity Development (R/CID) model …show more content…
The naïveté stage includes a White individual being unaware of racial differences outside of the physical difference one sees. In the acceptance stage, the White individual begins to believe in the superiority of their own race due to the belief in a fair and equal society where responsibility of success being placed upon the non-White individuals in society. Conflicts in beliefs begin to arise in the resistance stage, and questioning one’s beliefs and position begins in the redefinition stage. Finally, a new social identity and commitment to social action is what is formed in the redefinition stage. Also important to note is the identity identification of White Ethnic groups. White Ethnic groups do have distinct cultural identities that, either by assumption or by choice, become non-salient when the White Protestant Anglo-Saxon identity is used to increase their status. Although there are many other White cultural identity development models, they each include stages and include moving through unawareness, to conflict and tension around current notions of White dominant values and beliefs, to integration and commitment to actions that are …show more content…
However, there is also the possibility that multiracial individuals could have similarities in their identity, thereby going through the White Racial Identity development, and move through the stages of being unaware to a commitment to anti-racist actions. Finally, a process of identity development for multiracial individuals who choose to identify as mixed-raced/biracial have the potential to, as Aldarand0 (2002) describe as still moving through the various unawareness/self-negating, conflict/tension, integration, and social actions stages along with their appreciating aspects of their various racial identities and fusing them together to form their multiracial identity.
The major issues, themes, needs, and challenges faced by multiracial individuals are many. The challenges of multiracial individuals include potential rejection and isolation due to their multiple racial heritages. They also face the potential of experiencing racism and having an identity placed upon them by various monoracial groups. These stressors can cause multiracial individuals to experience depression, guilt, shame and other psychological issues (Sue & Sue, 2013). Due to these challenges, multiracial individuals need a community