interracial families

The most prominent issue I found in interracial families is children’s confusion. Children of interracial families face questions such as, “Who am I?” and “Where do I fit in?” Parents tell stories of facing difficult situations when their children pose these questions and how they struggle to answer when their children ask why they do not share the same race. Children are often encouraged to choose one race and “be loyal” to it. (this pressure is usually exerted by peers.) There are also many derogatory names for these children.

These negative aspects of interracial families are usually the ones focused on, especially in literature, however, in the article “What Are The Strengths of Interracial Families,” by Kelly N. Burrello the positive side of interracial families are highlighted. For example, they tend to preserve the richness of the customs and languages of both cultures and the children are taught about diversity. The families become models of appropriate behavior on how to treat those who are different, they promote tolerance as well as coexistence.

Interracial families are not only formed when two people of different races marry, some families choose to adopt children from other countries. In this case there is the obvious risk that the child may feel excluded. It never really occurred to me, but when researching it was brought up on the Cynthia Leitich Smith website that even innocent children’s books contribute to these feelings. These adopted children do not see themselves featured in the family settings of their bedtime stories, and this causes confusion.

It is a difficult situation but professionals provide guideline for parents. They are instructed to treat all children equally. This includes special treatment as well. Parents must also makes sure that grandparents and others involved in the child’s life are aware of the need to equality. It is also important to teach the children patience. It is inevitable that, growing up, they will be faced with questions, some with negative overtones. It is important to plan general responses and to teach the children not to get angry.

According to a Dartmouth study, “Recent census data confirm that one in 25 families is interracial (one in 10 in California) and trends show increasing acceptance of interracial marriage among the general public.” With these growing numbers it is important to be aware of the positives, negatives, and difficulties that these interracial families face.





Extra facts:
Results from Census 2000
Nearly 7 Million (2.4 percent) of Americans described themselves as multiracial in the 2000
Census.
Among Americans younger than 18, for example, 4.2 percent were multiracial, compared with
1.9 percent of adults.
Census officials claim that the number of interracial couples more than quadrupled between
1970 and 1995.
Among the 13 states where the Census Bureau has released detailed race information so far,
multiracial populations range from less than 1 percent in Mississippi to 4.5 percent in Oklahoma.
Among big counties in those states, Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia were among the top
10 with their multiracial populations, about 4 percent.
Additional Stats (Jet, Oct 6, 1997):
Thirty years ago, only one in every 100 children born in the United States was of mixed race.

http://www.diversitydtg.com/articles/interracial_families.htm
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/diversity/multiracial/multi_race_picbooks.html
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2001/sept01/marryingout.html