Adult Role Models: Needed Voices for Adolescents, Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Race Relations

Abstract

This study examines parents', teachers', and administrators', responses to the theory of multiculturalism. The research identifies the linkage of multicultural beliefs to the symbolic interactionist approach to a formation of self-awareness and racial consciousness. Multiculturalism is emphasized as an important element of race relations and as an instrument in the development of diversity in children's concept of self. This paper emanated from a 1992 study by this author titled “Race, Class, and Action: Adolescents Redefining Difference Through Multiculturalism.” Those 1992 respondents' parents, teachers, and administrators responses are examined in this paper for parallel factors to explore: (1) To what extent do the attitudes and beliefs held by parents, teachers, and administrators reflect multiculturalism and diversity for adolescents and societal race relations? And (2) can a multicultural viewpoint help manage diversity in a school setting complicated by racism? The findings of this study are consistent with those of the earlier 1992 study showing that adults and adolescents rate multiculturalism and diversity as important instruments of race relations.