Ethnic Identity and African Americans Essay

social personal individuation is the sum total of group member feelings about those values, symbols, and common histories that notice them as a distinct group (Smith 1991). Development of ethnic identity is important because it helps unitary to seed to terms with their ethnic membership as a prominent reference group and evidential segmentation of an individuals overall identity. Ethnic reference group refers to an individuals psychological re newdness to groups (Smith 1991). These reference groups help adolescents wiz, reflect and see things from the mastermind of their ethnic groups in which they actively participate or seek to participate.What is ethnic identity? The establishment of identity is an important, complex task for all adolescents, and is considered a major growingal task for all adolescents. It is particularly entangled for adolescents belonging to ethnic and minority groups. Ethnic identity of the majority group of individuals is constantly validated and strengthen in a positive manner where as the minority group is constantly ridiculed and punished in a negative manner. What does this say for those adolescents who are the minority and not the majority?It is important to study or research ethnic identity because it provides better knowledge to help wizard understand striving for a sense of unity and connectivenesss in which the self provides meaning 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 primitively age then albumen adolescents majority and they are constantly aware of ethnic differences, which mean it is of greater importance to understand the development of the minority individual.It should lead to different assessments when it comes to ethnic identity. For example, African American adolescents are psychologically compared t o 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 wellness workers must be sensitive to the ecological context of their clients. Mental Health workers must realize that thither is no single entity called the black family .The black families compared to the other families established their American family. He suggests that these families vary dramatically in backgrounds, social economic 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 rearing family practices and in schools (1990). That is, schools continue to reflect historical values that deal with racial-stereotypes and prejudice and beliefs.At the same ti me at that place are families trying to avoid and make light out of such situations. These families and communities continue to show exertion by instilling their own beliefs and values through child rearing which maybe different from Caucasian Americas. Identity and ethnicity as adolescent issues Identity has been defined in many ways. It is the concept used to guide an individuals sense of who he or she is (Dashefsky and Shapiro, 1976). Changes in identity occur throughout the sprightliness cycle, however, the changes in identity are usually most notable during adolescence.Integrating a positive sense of ethnic identity into ones overall personal identity is an important task of late adolescence (Steinberg, 1996). Ethnic identity has been defined as the aspect of ones sense of identity concerning melodic phrase or racial group membership (Steinberg, 1996). Ethnic identity development is an essential human accept because it provides a sense of belonging and historical continuit y. Ethnic socialization minority children are confronted with their ethnicity at an earlier age than their majority counterparts (Smith, 1991).Parents can help to speed up the early 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 enlighten their children about their ethnicity and about the certain experiences they may have with the broader society. Ethnic socialization consists of three themes 1) understanding ones own culture, 2) getting along in mainstream society, and 3) dealing with racism (Steinberg, 1996). Possible outcomes of ethnic identity development.There are four ways to deal with ethnicity (Steinberg, 1996) Assimilationadopting the cultural norms of the majority while rejecting the norms of ones own culture. Separationrejecting the majority culture and associating only with members of ones own culture. Marginality documentation wi thin majority culture but feeling estranged. Biculturalismmaintaining ties to both cultures. According to Steinberg (1996) many believe that biculturalism is more than successful than the other four. With biculturalism minority youth have access to the norms of the majority and minority culture depending on the situation. References.Smith, Elise J. Ethnic Identity Development Toward the Development of A Theory within the Context of Majority/Minority Status. journal of Counseling 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 Publishing 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.