My Choice, Your Categories: The Denial of Multiracial Identities

Abstract

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.Each year, more than 2 million students take the SAT. As they register for this test, students complete the "SAT Questionnaire" containing a series of 42 questions about themselves and their interests. For the 2006-2007 academic year, question 35 asked "How do you describe yourself? (Mark only one)." There ].We would like to thank Max Hawkins for his assistance with data collection and Clara L. Wilkins and Bries Deerrose for their help with data coding.

Forbidden identities: A qualitative examination of racial identity invalidation for Black/White Biracial individuals

“…Racial identity invalidation is one of the most stressful racial experiences that Biracial individuals face (Rockquemore & Brunsma, 2004;Shih & Sanchez, 2005;Townsend, Markus, & Bergsieker, 2009). This stressor occurs when an individual is placed into a racial category that does not align with the racial category with which they personally identify (Lou, Lalonde, & Wilson, 2011;Rockquemore & Brunsma, 2004).…”

“…It decreases self-esteem, promotes negative affect and resentment towards the perpetrator of invalidation, inhibits racial identity development, and contributes to negative mental health outcomes (Rockquemore, 2002;Rockquemore & Brunsma, 2002;Townsend et al, 2009). For this stressor to be understood, so that it can be dismantled, the characteristics of racially invalidating experiences must be studied from the perspective of Biracial individuals.…”

Beyond Discrete Categories: Studying Multiracial, Intersex, and Transgender Children Will Strengthen Basic Developmental Science

“…Of course, some multiracial individuals choose to self-identify in terms of one specific racial identity, and such self-identifications may affect how others see them. But beyond these anecdotes, there is abundant evidence that when asked to categorize unfamiliar multiracial targets, monoracial perceivers frequently place them into discrete racial categories even when a multiracial category is available (Chen & Hamilton, 2012; despite the fact that many multiracial individuals actually prefer to identify and be seen as multiracial (Townsend, Markus, & Bergsieker, 2009;Udry, Li, & Hendrickson-Smith, 2003).…”

“…Further, multiracial individuals also appear to face some additional psychological burdens relating to how they are perceived by themselves and others. For example, multiracial individuals are sometimes judged more negatively than their monoracial counterparts (Sanchez & Bonam, 2009), and multiracial individuals are sometimes called upon to define or defend their racial identity in ways that monoracial individuals are not, a process that can come with psychological costs (Sanchez, Shih, & Garcia, 2009;Townsend et al, 2009). It appears that identifying with more than one racial category is associated with more positive well-being in adolescents (Binning, Unzueta, Huo, & Molina, 2009), suggesting that an overemphasis on discrete racial categories may have negative consequences for at least some multiracial individuals, for whom having their identity accurately recognized can be important.…”

Mothers and Their Biracial Children: Growing Up Biracial in a One Race Fits All Society

“…Of all of these, biracial and biracial are the most common amongst individuals of mixed race (Townsend, Markus, & Bergsieker, 2009). However, institutional practices still do not always promote or accommodate biracial identity.…”