Families with mixed cultural and ethnic backgrounds are more common than ever before. The new face of America is that of a multicultural society with increased representation of children born to couples of interracial relationships. Nearly 7 million (2.4%) of Americans described themselves as multiracial in the 2000 Bureau of the Census. According to the 2000 Census, Biracial children (under 18 years of age) made up 4% of society. Census officials claim the number of interracial couples more than quadrupled between 1970 and 1995. While this group of individuals has unique qualities and strengths, they also encounter potential problems that need to be further explored and addressed.
Individuals of mixed heritage usually identity themselves as “multiracial.” Multiracial individuals include those who comprise three or more races as a result of their ancestors’ interracial marriages over the generations. Mixed heritage includes not only race but ethnicity and culture as well.
Biracial...
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Suggested Reading
Kaeser, G., & Gillespie, P. (1997). Of many colors: Portraits of multiracial families. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.
Kendal, B., & Halebian, C. (1997). Trevor's story: Growing up biracial. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications.
Thomas, V., Karis, T. A., & Wetchler, J. L. (Eds.) (2003). Clinical issues with interracial couples: Theories and research. New York: Haworth Press.
Suggested Resources
Culture, Race, and Ethnicity: A Report of the Surgeon General—www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/cre: A link to multiple sources of information on working with culture, race, and ethnicity
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Cipriani-Price, M., Lim, B.K., Alberici, D.J. (2010). Biracial. In: Clauss-Ehlers, C.S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cross-Cultural School Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71799-9_44
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71799-9_44
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