For mixed families, one of the most important and confusing discussions in parenting often concerns identity. Mixed, multiracial, multiethnic individuals often have a difficult course set ahead of them in a country ruled by racial categories. Where does one stand when they don’t identify in only one way? When none of the check boxes sum up their identity? A new study from a group of identity experts aims to understand these questions and more. The research group, organized by Susan Lambe Sariñana, director of SwirlBoston, is asking parents of multiracial / multiethnic children and teens to contribute to their project by completing detailed surveys about their experiences with imparting language, culture, ethnicity and personal identity to their children.
Sariñana, a doctoral student as University of Massachusetts Boston’s Clinical Psychology program and a multiracial individual herself, is also calling on Latina moms to join in the study! Sariñana wants to represent diversity in her research and would love for Latino families to also have their voices counted in her research! The survey is a bit lengthy and some questions are repetitive to test out which wording gets the more precise responses from parents, but it’s well worth the effort and having more research conducted of multiracial youth is a great benefit to our childrens’ future! For your convenience, you can save your survey and restart later if needed. As an added plus, participants will be added into a drawing for Amazon gift cards upon completion of the survey! So have at it! Add your voice to this super important research and bring new insights to multiracial parenting and identity!
*You don’t have to be Latina to participate! All parents of multiracial / multiethnic children and youth are invited to add their voices!!!
Are you the parent of a multiracial youth between the ages of 3-22? Participate in an online survey for the opportunity to win one of two $100 Amazon gift certificates! Get started here.
Are you the parent of a multiracial high schooler (9th-12th grade)? They may be eligible to participate in an in-person 1-1 interview and a short survey that last approximately 60 minutes, and will be given a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate for their participation. E-mail Susan Lambe at multiracialyouthstudy@gmail.com for more info.
Read more about the people conducting the study and check out resources for multiracial individuals and families.
© 2011, Chantilly Patiño. All rights reserved.
Very interesting, I am doing the survey right now, I am also following your blog!
Great! Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing! Going to post to my FB page =)
Awesome! Thanks amiga! Let’s spread the word! =)
Very cool study – on my way to check it out! … And can I just say, I love that spork graphic. LOL.
I know, isn’t that cute! Ever since Wall-E came out, we always joke that Lily is the spork…because we’re interracial…lol. So cool to see a graphic like that. <3
Filled it out
Thank you Holly! You’re awesome! :)
Wish I could do the survey – my son is now 24! yikes, how did THAT happen?!?! :) Will definitely share…
Darn, lol. Just barely past the mark. ;) Thanks for passing it along. :)
This group is in my backyard, literally. *LOL* Thank you for finding this, Chantilly. I’m gonna check it out.
Awesome! Let me know what you discover! :)
Did you do the survey yet? I tried it and was very uncomfortable! The questions/answer choices just did not fit with my experiences at all. I ended up quitting the study because I couldn’t see how the multiple choices they provided could give the researchers an accurate picture of multiracial parenting. I’d rather not say anything at all than give incorrect information. I wonder if anyone else is having that experience?
Jen, I put my survey on pause, but I do have to finish it this week. I’ll definitely let you know how it goes and be sure to give Sue your feedback for future studies. ;)