Third Week Blog Post

 Racial-Ethnic Socialization

I chose to read Atkin’s A Qualitative Examination of Familial Racial-Ethnic Socialization Experiences Among Multiracial American Emerging Adults (2021) and Paasch-Anderson’s African Americans Adolescents’ Perceptions of Ethnic Socialization and Racial Socialization as Distinct Processes (2014). Many of the messages from Atkin’s article (2021) are similar to those of Paasch-Anderson’s (2014), such as the sharing of culture through stories and food and the teachings of knowing when to brush-off racist comments. However, there were prominent differences between these two readings. Atkin (2021) sheds light on how difficult it can be to be multiracial. Many young adults in this study expressed how their parents urged them to identify a certain way depending on what the situation is; others expressed how they were encouraged to always identify with all their different racial-ethnic backgrounds. Paasch-Anderson (2014) hit hard on how African Americans were taught that they will “have to work twice as hard because of prejudice and stereotypes” (p. 174). 

There were differences between these articles because each racial-ethnic group faces their own unique challenges. For example, the differences in stereotypes and bias between Blacks and Whites means each group must raise their children differently. Black parents have to teach their children how to respond to racist comments and how to act around cops, while these are issues White parents do not have to address. 

The messages presented by parents in Atkin’s article (2021) were very similar to the messages I received whilst growing up. My mother is White and tended to stay out of racial conversations; my dad is Mexican and was the one to teach my sisters and I about our culture. While the messages I received did include knowing when to brush things off and when to be confrontational, these conversations were very limited. I wish my parents had more of these “uncomfortable” conversations with me. I feel that I’ve only been exploring my racial-ethnic identity within recent years. I wish my parents were more involved in this journey, as it is a difficult one and would be helpful to have more guidance. 

If I were to give advice to parents concerning racial-ethnic socialization, I would encourage them to be open and honest with their children. Children who are well educated and feel connected to their own culture are often more understanding of others and are better equipped to deal with hateful comments. 

I do not believe parents of all racial backgrounds should give the same messages. Each group has their own struggles to face, thus, each needs a message specific to them. Black children still need to understand they're at a disadvantage; however, it's also White parents' job to educate their children on privilege and how to use it in a positive way. While these are different messages, we are all ultimately working towards a better future.

References

Atkin, A. L. (2021). A Qualitative Examination of Familial Racial-Ethnic Socialization Experiences Among Multiracial American Emerging Adults. Journal of Family Psychology, 2–13. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-81890-001?doi=1 

Paasch-Anderson, J., & Lamborn, S. D. (2014). African American Adolescents' Perceptions of Ethnic Socialization and Racial Socialization as Distinct Processes. Journal of Adolescent Research, Vol. 29(2), 159–185. Retrieved January 28, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558413510969.