When Change Doesn’t Matter: Racial Identity (In)consistency and Adolescent Well-being |
When Change Doesn’t Matter: Racial Identity (In)consistency and Adolescent Well-being
Sociology of Race & Ethnicity
Volume 1, Number 2 (April 2015)
pages 270-286
DOI: 10.1177/2332649214552730
Rory Kramer, Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology and Criminology
Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
Ruth Burke
Department of Sociology
University of Pennsylvania
Camille Z. Charles, Professor of Sociology
University of Pennsylvania
Most theories of racial self-identity argue that a racially inconsistent identity indicates emotional distress and internal turmoil. However, empirical research on racial identity and consistency indicates that racial inconsistency is more common than previously believed, and some argue that it can be a positive adaptation for individuals. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, we explore the degree to which racial identity inconsistency is associated with emotional, social, and academic outcomes. We find that racial inconsistency is not associated with negative outcomes for individuals and, via access to white privilege, may be associated with benefits for some individuals. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for theories of racial identity.
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Tags: Camille Charles, Camille Z. Charles, Camille Zubrinsky Charles, Rory Kramer, Ruth Burke, Sociology of Race & Ethnicity