'What are you?': Exploring the Developmental Impacts of Identity Formation within Multiracial Adolescents

Abstract

Throughout the History of the United States, multiracial identity has been a neglected notion; An unrecognized option for individuals. In hand with the growing minority population, interracial or mixed-race persons are the fastest-growing demographic within the United States. Existing research on multiracial identity formation is not only outdated but predominantly focuses on Black and White racial mixing, evidently lacking the incorporations of other multi-ethnic cultures and pairings; The majority of which include overlooked minority groups. Moreover, current research principally fixates on children, neglecting adolescent populations. With adolescents frequenting the peak conflicting identity formation stages, current research elucidates that adolescents beg the most attention within this research community. The following study investigates the identity development of multiracial adolescents and their numerous environmental factors – focusing primarily on the impressions of multiracial parenting and educational institutions. This study utilizes phenomenological research strategies to form a multifaceted questionnaire with questions regarding perceptions of self, parenting/family atmospheres, and school environments. The questionnaire would be developed with a combination of previously used attitude identifier scales, predominantly focusing on popularized Poston’s BIDM (Biracial Identity Development Model). In the assessment of 31 questionnaire responses, research would suggest that the survey participants exhibit high identity development indicators, which would reflect the results of positive parenting styles and an inclusive educational atmosphere. With the results at hand, this study provides a converse result of parental and educational factors and serves as a strong affirmatory measure to encourage the multiracial research community to enhance the literature within the community.