Ethnic Identity Development

Identity can mean different things to different people, but for most people, it’s about one’s personality and experiences. The 21st century has seen young people in various parts of the globe have a preference for some desired identity, which they deem superior, rather than accept their own identities. For example, in Goin Gangsta, Choosin Cholista: Claiming Identity, Neil Bernstein makes a case on how a number of people have claimed ethnic individualities other than their own and this is not an evil obsession (Bernstein, 1995). In this essay, a girl named April and her friends (and by extension most young people) believe that “identity is not a matter of where you come from, what you were born into, or what colour your skin is, but it’s everything

Establishing an identity has been called one of the most important milestones of adolescent development (Ruffin, 2009). Additionally, a central part of identity development includes ethnic identity (ACT for Youth, 2002). While some teens search

There are two different dimensions of our identities: ethnicity and race. Ethnicity refers to one’s belonging to a specific cultural, or racial group that makes up culture, race language, and/or place of origin. For example, one can be African-American but have different ethnicities, one African-American and the other African-Caribbean decent. Race is a social construct that can be changed over time. Historically, referring to its specific characteristics one possesses based on: ethnicity, religion, or language; today's its classified solely based upon the color of one’s skin. Nevertheless, ethnic and racial identities are important and instill a sense of belonging and identifying with that specific group through attitude, behaviors. Moreover,

The peer reviewed article “Ethnic and Racial Identity During Adolescence into Young Adulthood: An Integrated Conceptualization” is a well written article on the struggle that people of color face when coming face to face with their identity in social situations. Umana-Taylor, Quintana, Lee, Cross, Rivas-Drake, Schwartz and Seaton (2014) analyzed ethnic and racial identity or ERI and how it relates to important developments and issues from early childhood well on into young adulthood. They worked to find the most important milestones during the development or ERI as well (Umana-Taylor et. al 2014). This paper will consist of the information given from the article and how I’ve dealt with my own ERI.

This article is a theoretical and empirical literature review of the monoethnic and biracial identity formation in adolescence. Backen gives credit to the current research for increasing our understanding of how ethnic minorities develop their ethnic identity. However, she does not think the Ethnic Identity Theory used to explain the process of monoethnic identity formation is sufficient to describe the biracial experience. According to experts in the field, ethnicity is described as one’s

In Asian American studies, identity is “a set of characteristics or a description that distinguishes a person or thing from others” (Ho 125). One would have to truly perceive his or her culture, language, beliefs, customs and values in order to be viewed as a distinct person in terms of identity. However, many Asian Americans are often faced with personal struggles when they are finding their own identity. These included the issues of assimilation, and contradictions of race and identity within their family and school life. They may sometimes feel insecure with their identity as Asian Americans due to their position as racial minorities in the Unites States. As a consequence, some would unconsciously reject their identity when their emotions are severely damaged in confronting with unequal treatment or being labeled with the Asian stereotypes. In his article “Distilling My Korean American Identity,” Patrick S.

Even though I believe to have a strong cultural diverse upbringing that differs from many of the lifestyles of my white friend, I never experienced any self-depreciation and oppression regarding my culture. I do believe I have undergone cultural development in terms of acculturation, but considering I have never experienced the need to abandon my cultural values, I feel it is appropriate to refer to the white racial identity development model rather than the racial/cultural identity developmental model. As a white female, I have certainly benefitted from white privilege, and it is my responsibility to acknowledge that aspect of my racial identity.

Within the Racial and Cultural Identity Development (R/CID) model, I currently identify with stage 5, Integrative Awareness. During my time of cultural identity reflection, I appreciated who I am and those of the same minority group. As for the dominant group, there are selective features that I admired and appreciate such as strength, competitiveness,

Identity is a socially and historically constructed concept. An individual learns about their own identity through interactions with family, peers, organizations, media, and educational institutions. Education and identity are two closely related topics. On average, most Americans will spend a fourth of their life in educational institutions. During this time period students are growing and maturing, but most importantly they are discovering themselves. Students realize their qualities, determine their morals, and establish their beliefs during this time of instruction. Undoubtedly, education forms and challenges a person’s identity throughout the years.

The ways in which racial and ethnic is establish is shown in the social and cultural motivations. At the beginning each individual adapt their cultural traditions and values through religious and educational communities inspires a positive sense of ethnic identity and confidence. Individual’s needs to often refine ethnic identity through negative behavior and media communications acknowledged from others because of their race and ethnicity. Some of the communications is made clear that people of minority position have a different ethnic development and one that is less than appropriate within normal society. Native Americans, ethnic and racial identity is mostly unconscious especially through their behaviors, values, beliefs, and assumptions. There are models and theories of racial and ethnic identity that has developed quickly due

The world has become modern and global. Identification of the self is a complicated, though, an important problem of every individual. Self- identity is based on inner values and reflections on culture, politics and social interactions. The main point is that people label themselves to any particular group in the society (Worchel etc., 1998). According to Ferguson: “Identity commonly refers to which it makes, or is thought to make

Developing stable identity is a major developmental task for adolescents (Erikson, 1968). Erikson (1950, 1968) described identity as the interaction of two dynamics, i.e. achievement of identity and identity confusion. Based on Erikson’s concept (1950, 1968), Marcia (1966) developed identity status model. Identity status model is established based on two dimensions of identity formation, i.e. exploration and commitment; which is used to classify identity status that consisted of diffusion foreclosure, moratorium, and achievement (Kroger & Marcia, 2011; Marcia, 1993). The one who has reached commitment through exploration process are in achievement status. If adolescent still try to achieve their commitment and are still in exploration process,

This particular theory views identity as conditional and self motivated as well as being related to one’s culture. Although other theories on identity consider the personal and social identity to be separate, SCT considers the personal and social identity to be

Only a certain number of people graduate from high school or obtain a GED. Even fewer of them go on to pursue a post-secondary education and obtain a degree. It is obvious that many factors contribute to this lowered rate of degree obtainment such as tuition cost, being overwhelmed by the advanced curriculum, and the loss motivation; however, another factor that may contribute to this issue is simply the way one feels about him/herself. Although the most crucial time for self/identity development is probably during adolescence, it is still possible for people’s sense of identity to change. It may be possible that people’s ethnic identity, specifically, can change as they become older and gain more life experiences.

To solve this identity crisis, I believe all ethnic groups should stick to their roots and embrace their unique culture to create a “mosaic” society. Similar to a mosaic that uses many different colored glasses to create a beautiful piece of art, people should value and appreciate their differences from others. Instead of being submissive and following American societal norms, cultures should strive to build cultural, political, social, and economic communities that appreciate and emphasize the richness of their own individual cultures and realize that trying to educate racist people is not the best use of our energy. As a result, everyone can come together to create a unified “mosaic.”