Perceived Benefits and Challenges of a Multiethnic-Racial Identity: Insight From Adults With Mixed Heritage

Jordan Soliz, Sierra Cronan, Gretchen Bergquist, Audra K. Nuru, Christine E. Rittenour

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this inquiry was to explore the lived experiences of multiethnic-racial individuals (i.e., individuals with parents from different ethnic-racial groups). In-depth interviews were conducted with 29 adults from the United States with mixed ethnic-racial backgrounds ranging in age from 18 to 52 (female n = 20, male n = 9). We identified a number of themes related to perceived benefits (e.g., pluralistic world views, stronger sense of self) and challenges (e.g., identity tensions, communal concerns) of having a mixed heritage. Findings are discussed in terms of four considerations for ethnic-racial identity of individuals with mixed ethnic-racial backgrounds: emphasizing constellations of experiences, life-span and developmental considerations of identity, (mixed) ethnic-racial identity as constituted in interactions, and the potential promise of pluralistic world views.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)267-281
Number of pages15
JournalIdentity
Volume17
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2 2017

Keywords

  • Biracial
  • ethnicity
  • multiethnic
  • race

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anthropology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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