ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a knowledge base for educators to develop more accurate perceptions of how mixed-race children develop a sense of racial identity, how this identity operates in their everyday life. It begins with a review of racial identity development in general, before consideration of racial identity development for mixed-raced children and youth. The chapter uses the term racial identity development rather than ethnic identity development in order to describe the group affiliation process alluded to by both Phinney and Helms. It discusses Mixed-race youth's racial identity experiences are based on the nature of their racial makeup and the sociocultural and personal circumstances. Ecological frameworks for explaining racial identity development for mixed-race youth enhanced our understanding of the multiple influences on racial self-understanding and self-identification. As such, knowledge of the social interactions among youth from different racial/ethnic backgrounds and from multiple perspectives can provide educators with important information to support their creation of supportive learning environments for all children and youth.
