Race, context, and privilege: white adolescents' explanations of racial-ethnic centrality

J Youth Adolesc. 2009 Feb;38(2):139-52. doi: 10.1007/s10964-008-9330-7. Epub 2008 Aug 22.

Abstract

This mixed-methods exploratory study examined the diverse content and situated context of White adolescents' racial-ethnic identities. The sample consisted of 781 9th-12th grade White adolescents from three New England schools, which varied in racial and economic make-up. Open-ended responses provided a range of thematic categories regarding the importance of race-ethnicity to the adolescents' identities, representing the diverse ideologies of White adolescents' explanations, ranging from colorblind claims to ethnic pride. This study also found significant relationships between racial-ethnic identity importance (centrality) and parents' education for White adolescents. These findings highlight the diversity of White adolescents' understanding of their racial-ethnic identities and the importance of context in shaping racial-ethnic centrality.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Cultural Competency*
  • Cultural Diversity*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New England
  • Parents
  • Prejudice
  • Race Relations
  • Social Class*
  • Social Identification*
  • Stereotyping
  • Students / psychology
  • White People / psychology*
  • Young Adult