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The Presence of White Fragility in Interracial Families

Bibliographic Data

ID8096659
AuthorsTracy Robinson‐wood (Northeastern University), Chantal Muse (Northeastern University), Ruthann C Hewett (0009-0006-0205-6085), Ruthann Hewett (Northeastern University), Oyenike Balogun‐Mwangi (0000-0002-4548-8762, Salve Regina University, corresponding author), Jaylan Abd Elrahman, Jaylan Elrahman (Northeastern University), Ava Nordling (Northeastern University), Noora Abdulkerim (Northeastern University), Atsushi Matsumoto (0000-0003-0885-6957, Northeastern University)
Year2021
Volume70
Issue4
Pages973-992
Publication date2021-05-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFamily Relations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0197-6664 • E-ISSN: 1741-3729
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/fare.12549
OpenAlexW3164826250
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited54

Objective To better understand how biracial/multiracial millennials make meaning of their multiple identities and racial socialization messages within their interracial families. Background A small body of research suggests that the content of parents' race messages to their biracial/multiracial children may have profound social and psychological ramifications. Changing American demographics, including the growth of biracial/multiracial populations, have created a demand for careful examination of this group's racialized experiences. Method To examine the racial socialization experiences of biracial/multiracial participants ( n = 30), this qualitative substudy used thematic analysis, an intersectional theoretical framework, and a phenomenological approach in analyzing open‐ended responses. Results We found that interracial families employed a number of racial socialization messages, including those that extol mainstream cultural values as well as communications that fuel race‐related stress and identity politics. Conclusion Findings highlight the prevalence of dominant Western cultural values and racial silence in the socialization messages within interracial families and the reality of racism and racial awareness among individuals identifying as biracial/multiracial. Implications The findings in this study suggest a need to examine racial socialization as a function of parents' salient identities, including gender, race, and immigration status

Developmental psychology · Identity (music · Mainstream · Political science · Qualitative research · Race (biology · Racism · Silence · Socialization · Sociology · Thematic analysis · White (mutation · Critical Race Theory in Education · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Gender Studies · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works17
Citations per year4,25
Citation span2022 - 2026 (5)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 17

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