Premium
My Choice, Your Categories: The Denial of Multiracial Identities
Author(s) -
Townsend Sarah S. M.,
Markus Hazel R.,
Bergsieker Hilary B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2008.01594.x
Subject(s) - denial , race (biology) , identity (music) , ethnic group , social psychology , psychology , variety (cybernetics) , gender studies , sociology , physics , artificial intelligence , anthropology , acoustics , psychoanalysis , computer science
Mixed‐race individuals often encounter situations in which their identities are a source of tension, particularly when expressions of multiracial and biracial identity are not supported or allowed. Two studies examined the consequences of this identity denial. In Study 1, mixed‐race participants reported that their biracial or multiracial identity caused tension in a variety of contexts. Study 2 focused on one often‐mentioned situation: completing a demographic questionnaire in which only one racial background can be specified. Relative to mixed‐race participants who were permitted to choose multiple races, those compelled to choose only one showed lower subsequent motivation and self‐esteem. These studies demonstrate the negative consequences of constraining mixed‐race individuals’ expression of their chosen racial identity. Policy implications for the collection of racial and ethnic demographic data are discussed.