Mixed Race Studies

Status Maximization or Identity Theory?: A Theorectical Approach to Understanding the Racial Identification of Multiracial Adolescents

Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association
Marriott Hotel, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
2005-08-12

Matthew Oware, Associate Professor of Sociology
DePauw University

Previous research has found that there are multiple factors that influence the racial identification of mixed-race adolescents.  This paper examines whether the racial identification of mixed-race adolescents can be understood through the broader theories of Status Maximization or Identity theory. Status Maximization theory posits that mixed-race adolescents will attempt to identify as the highest racial status group they possibly can. Yet, due to the “one-drop” rule, mixed-race black-white adolescents will be limited to selecting only “black” as their primary identification when forced to select one race. Identity theory posits that the higher frequency or better quality contacts with parents or individuals in mixed-race adolescents’ peer networks affect the racial identification of mixed-race adolescents. I use the National Longitudinal Adolescent Health (Add Health) dataset to perform statistical analyses on mixed-race adolescents. I find that Asian-white and American-Indian-white adolescents do not status maximize, but that black-white adolescents do adhere to the one-drop rule when forced to choose one race. Also, several social-psychological variables are found to influence the racial identification of mixed-race adolescents, corroborating previous research. My research suggests that racial identification for Asian-white and American-Indian-white adolescents are both fluid and optional; this is not the case for black-white adolescents.

Read the entire paper here.

Biracial Identity in the Media

Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association, TBA
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2008-05-22
18 Pages

Iliana Rucker
University of New Mexico

Many scholars have studied racial representations and have determined that images of racial groups we see on television shape the way we view these racial groups (Gorham, 1999; Tamborini & Mastro, 2000). This paper looks at how biracial/multiracial characters in film are represented and the language or lack of language used in the representation. In this paper, I examine the language in the films Imitation of Life and Get on the Bus, particularly regarding the biracial characters and how this racially mixed representation is either silenced or given a voice. The importance of this topic lies in the influential aspect of media.  There are very few biracial characters in the media. Their race plays into the message that they are sending, and I am curious in seeing who has the power to name their identity.

Read the entire paper here.

Dimensions of Self-Identification among Multiracial and Multiethnic Respondents in Survey Interviews

Research supported in part by contract HHS 0009430486 from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Publication Date: 1997-12
ISSN: ISSN-0193-841X

Timothy P. Johnson
University of Illinois at Chicago

Jared B. Jobe
National Center for Health Statistics

Diane O’Rourke
University of Illinois at Urbana

Seymour Sudman
University of Illinois at Urbana

Richard Warnecke
University of Illinois at Chicago

Noel Chavez
University of Illinois at Chicago

Gloria Chapa-Resendez
University of Illinois at Chicago

Patricia Golden
National Center for Health Statistics

This paper reports findings from a laboratory study designed to investigate self identification among 69 multiracial and multiethnic women. Respondent reactions to two current questionnaire formats for collecting racial information, and a third version that includes a “multiracial” response option, were examined. Findings suggest that respondent’s racial identification varies considerably across question formats and that persons of mixed heritage prefer a racial identification question that provides them, at a minimum, with the opportunity to acknowledge their multi-cultural background. In addition, many respondents also expressed the desire to identify each of the specific groups that constitute their racial/ethnic background.

Read the entire article here.

One Drop, No Rule: Identity Options among Multiracial Children in the U.S.

Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association
Marriott Hotel, Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Philadelphia, PA,
2005-08-12

Anthony Daniel Perez, Assistant Professor
Chapel Hill Department of Sociology
University of North Carolina

This paper examines the links between family background characteristics and patterns of identification among multiracial children in the U.S. I improve upon previous studies of multiracial classification by expanding the identity choice set to include a broader and more thorough range of classificatory options. In undertaking this analysis, I examine the large, nationally representative 5% Public Use Microdata from the Census 2000 long form. I find that children living in two-parent households with one white parent and one non-white parent are almost equally likely to identify (or be identified) as white, non-white, or multiracial. I further note that: 1.) Patterns of identification vary widely by mixed race subgroup and socioeconomic status. 2.) Racial differences in identification vary by socioeconomic status. 3.) The pathways to “white passing” are related but distinct from pathways to multiracial identification.

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The Politics of Parenting in ‘Mixed’ Families: An Autobiographical Account

Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association
Atlanta Hilton Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia
2003-08-16

Nora Lester Murad, Founder and Executive Director
Dalia Association

This paper explores common themes in the varied experiences of parents in families that are “mixed” in terms of culture, race, or religion. These themes include identity, location and language, feelings of parental inadequacy, and social support/social sabotage. Drawing heavily on my journals and experience mothering two daughters in an international, bicultural, interfaith family, I highlight the political decisions we make as parents and their implications. I intend to counter the marginalization of mixed families by giving us voice and to use my personal experience as a lens on the changing racial and cultural landscape as it is influenced by conflict and love.  Throughout, I address the complex political and spiritual transformation that is possible through the experience of parenting in a mixed family.

Read the entire paper here.

Kip Fulbeck: Part Asian, 100% Hapa

University of North Carolina
FedEx Global Education Center
2009-07-01 through 2009-10-31
08:00 to 21:00 (ET Local Time)

For this exhibition of portraits, artist Kip Fulbeck traveled the country photographing Hapa of all ages and walks of life. Once a derogatory label derived from the Hawaiian word for “half,” the word Hapa has been embraced as a term of pride for many whose mixed-race heritage includes Asian or Pacific Rim ancestry. Fulbeck’s work seeks to address in words and images the one question that Hapa are frequently asked: What are you? By pairing portraits of Hapa unadorned by make-up, jewelry and clothing along with their handwritten statements on who they are, Fulbeck has produced powerful yet intimate expressions of beauty and identity. “kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa” is organized by the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. It is supported in part by the James Irvine Foundation and is part of the Global Education Distinguished Speakers Series.

For more information, click here.