'Ethnic Identity and African Americans Essay\r'

' heathen identicalness is the sum total of mathematical sort outgrowth feelings about those values, symbols, and common histories that identify them as a distinct group (Smith 1991). breeding of ethnical indistinguishability is alpha because it helps angiotensin converting enzyme to come to terms with their heathenish rank as a prominent wing group and signifi arseholet part of an individuals general identity element element. pagan reference group refers to an individuals rational relatedness to groups (Smith 1991). These reference groups help adolescents ace, reflect and devour things from the point of their cultural groups in which they actively participate or seek to participate.\r\nWhat is ethnic identity? The establishment of identity is an important, conglomerate task for all adolescents, and is considered a study phylogenyal task for all adolescents. It is in particular complicated for adolescents belonging to ethnic and nonage groups. cultural identit y of the volume group of individuals is ever validated and reinforced in a exacting manner where as the minority group is constantly ridiculed and punish in a negative manner. What does this conjecture for those adolescents who be the minority and not the majority?\r\nIt is important to study or investigate ethnic identity because it provides better experience to help single understand breed for a sense of unity and connectivenesss in which the self provides heart and soul for direction and meaning of ethnic identity (Spencer, 1990). It is also important to study or research the differences between these groups due to beliefs and values. Adolescents that are the minority are confronted with their ethnicity at an earlier age thence gabardine adolescents majority and they are constantly aware of ethnic differences, which means it is of great importance to understand the culture of the minority individual.\r\nIt should lead to different assessments when it comes to ethni c identity. For example, African the Statesn adolescents are psychologically compared to Caucasian American adolescence diagnoses, which are sometimes inaccurately assessed. Bronfenberner explains the theoretical perspective such as the ecological perspective by saying, The implications for clinical treatment of African American adolescents, mental health workers must be refined to the ecological condition of their clients. Mental wellness workers must realize that there is no single entity called the black family .\r\nThe black families compared to the another(prenominal) families established their American family. He suggests that these families shift dramatically in backgrounds, social scotch status, values, and degree of acculturation to the norms and values of mainstream America (1990). There are also, significant differences that may exist in preparation of African American adolescent, at the level of upbringing family practices and in schools (1990). That is, schools c ontinue to reflect historical values that deal with racial-stereotypes and prejudice and beliefs.\r\nAt the same time there are families trying to avoid and make alight out of such situations. These families and communities continue to charge constancy by instilling their protest beliefs and values through and through child procreation which maybe different from Caucasian Americas. individuation and ethnicity as adolescent issues Identity has been define in many ways. It is the concept apply to describe an individual’s sense of who he or she is (Dashefsky and Shapiro, 1976). Changes in identity occur throughout the life cycle, however, the changes in identity are usually intimately notable during adolescence.\r\nIntegrating a positive sense of ethnic identity into one’s overall personal identity is an important task of late adolescence (Steinberg, 1996). Ethnic identity has been defined as the construction of one’s sense of identity concerning ancestry or racial group membership (Steinberg, 1996). Ethnic identity development is an essential human need because it provides a sense of belonging and historical continuity. Ethnic socializing Minority children are confronted with their ethnicity at an earlier age than their majority counterparts (Smith, 1991).\r\nParents can help to speed up the primeval stages of ethnic identity development by taking an active approach to ethnic socialization. Ethnic socialization, according to Steinberg(1996), refers to the process through which parents teach their children about their ethnicity and about the definite experiences they may mystify with the broader society. Ethnic socialization consists of three themes: 1) understanding one’s aver finale, 2) getting along in mainstream society, and 3) dealing with racism (Steinberg, 1996). Possible outcomes of ethnic identity development.\r\nThere are quad ways to deal with ethnicity (Steinberg, 1996): ·Assimilationâ€adopting the cu ltural norms of the majority while rejecting the norms of one’s own refining. ·Separationâ€rejecting the majority socialization and associating only with members of one’s own culture. ·Marginalityâ€living at heart majority culture but feeling estranged. ·Biculturalismâ€maintaining ties to both cultures. concord to Steinberg (1996) many believe that biculturalism is more booming than the other four. With biculturalism minority youth have access to the norms of the majority and minority culture depending on the situation. References.\r\n·Smith, Elise J. Ethnic Identity growth: Toward the Development of A Theory within the Context of Majority/Minority Status. diary of rede and Development: JCD. v70. n1. Sept. 1991. p. 181-188. ·Spencer, Margaret Beale. Child Development. v61 n2. Apr. 1990. P. 290-310. ·Dashefsky, A. (Eds. ). (1976). Ethnic identity in society. Chicago: Rand McNally College create Co. Smith, E. J. (1991). Ethnic identity development: Toward the development of a theory within the context of majority/minority status. Journal of Counseling and Development, 70, 181-187. ·Steinberg, L. (1996). Adolescence. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.\r\n'