Discussion: Kerwin and Ponterottos Biracial Identity Development Model Discussion: Kerwin and Ponterottos Biracial Identity Development Model This job describes the biracial identity development model developed by Kerwin and Ponterotto. It also includes the typical attitudes and transitions that occur at each stage as well as suggestions for support and encouragement of the biracial child during each of the developmental stages. ? BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com October 9, 2019, 4:06 pm ad1c9bdddf https://brainmass.com/psychology/cross-cultural-psychology/22210 ORDER YOUR PROFESSIONAL PAPER HERE Solution Preview Kerwin and Ponterottos Biracial Identity Development Model: Description and Suggestions for Support of the Biracial Child What is Biracial/Multiracial? A biracial child is defined as one whose parents represent two or more distinct cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds. Kerwin and Ponterottos (1995) biracial identity development model focuses on developmental age periods (or life events) and the typical attitudes and transitions that occur at each stage. This model provides a useful framework for mental health professionals who work with biracial individuals. Preschool stage: Kerwin and Ponterottos model begins with the preschool stage, during which individuals become aware of racial and ethnic differences. During this stage, most children who are multiracial and multiethnic begin to ask questions about their physical features, their racial identity, and why they are different from other children and their parents. Support: encourage them to openly discuss any physical differences they notice between themselves and others, answer their questions about race and being biracial, praise their physical features that may be the target of negative comments from others, and expose them to a range of play items and storybooks that reflect their unique racial heritage Entry to School: Biracial individuals are ? Solution Preview Kerwin and Ponterottos Biracial Identity Development Model: Description and Suggestions for Support of the Biracial Child What is Biracial/Multiracial? A biracial child is defined as one whose parents represent two or more distinct cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds. Kerwin and Ponterottos (1995) biracial identity development model focuses on developmental age periods (or life events) and the typical attitudes and transitions that occur at each stage. This model provides a useful framework for mental health professionals who work with biracial individuals. Preschool stage: Kerwin and Ponterottos model begins with the preschool stage, during which individuals become aware of racial and ethnic differences. During this stage, most children who are multiracial and multiethnic begin to ask questions about their physical features, their racial identity, and why they are different from other children and their parents. Support: encourage them to openly discuss any physical differences they notice between themselves and others, answer their questions about race and being biracial, praise their physical features that may be the target of negative comments from others, and expose them to a range of play items and storybooks that reflect their unique racial heritage Entry to School: Biracial individuals are ? Discussion: Kerwin and Ponterottos Biracial Identity Development Model Order Now

 

 

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Kerwin and Ponterottos Biracial Identity Development Model

Introduction

Biracial people are those who have one parent who is of a different race than their other parent. Biracial identity development is a complex process affected by many factors. This article will discuss how biracial children develop their racial identities based on the stage of their development and whether or not they identify themselves as being either White or Black.

Background

The biracial identity development model was developed by Kerwin and Ponterottos. The authors used the framework of Erikson’s theory of identity development to explain how biracial people can develop an understanding of their racial identity, as well as how it fits into other aspects of their lives.

The Biracial Identity Development Model: A Framework for Understanding Racialized Biculturalism

In their article entitled “Biracial Identity Development: A Critical Review,” Kerwin and Ponterottos argue that although research has focused on various aspects of biraciality (e.g., language use), there hasn’t been much attention paid to how these individuals’ experiences may influence their sense of belongingness within different groups (i.e., White/Black or White/Asian). This lack has left researchers without a clear understanding regarding what factors affect someone’s perception towards his or her own mixed-race background; consequently affecting his or her decision making process when it comes down keeping up with those around him/herself

Identity development in biracial children

In addition to the differences between biracial children and their parents, there are also some differences between their racial identities. Biracial people often have a different racial identity than their parents. This can be because of how they were raised, or because of other factors such as where they live or what school they attend (e.g., public schools versus private).

Because of this difference in identity development, biracial children may experience difficulties with social acceptance and fitting in with peers at school or on neighborhood playgrounds where everyone looks like themselves (i.e., white).

Developmental stages

• Stage 1: Purity

• The first stage is called purity. In this stage, a biracial person has an identity that is defined by their white half and one or more other ethnicities. For example, if you were raised in a predominantly white neighborhood and attended school with mostly black students, then your sense of self would be defined as “white” during this period. You may also identify as having two cultures—for example, if your grandmother was born in India but moved to the U.S., then she would be considered part of your heritage but not necessarily part of who you are as an individual since she has never lived in America before (and therefore cannot be considered part).

• Stage 2: Awareness

• The second stage involves awareness of racism within society; however, it does not necessarily mean that one has become aware of their own racial identity development process yet because there are many factors involved with biracialism such as interracial dating between partners who are different races/ethnicities than each other due to societal pressures against interracial relationships occurring throughout history!

Stage 1 – Purity

Stage 1, or purity, is all about being pure and true to one’s self. It’s about the physical body. The idea of this stage is that you can only be yourself when your body and mind are in perfect harmony with each other. If there are any issues in your life, it will show on your face or body—and those things don’t make sense when they’re just part of who you are!

• Physical appearance: This includes everything from hair length (if applicable) to skin color; any physical trait that makes you different from others around you (such as height).

• Skin tone/texture: This could include things like whether someone has freckles or not; it could also mean something more serious like being born with darker skin than most people have nowadays due to climate change over time since humans first evolved here millions years ago.”

Stage 2 – Awareness

In this stage, children are beginning to realize that they are different from others. They may start to ask questions about their racial identity and start to feel like they don’t belong.

It is important for parents and teachers to help children explore their racial identities by encouraging them to talk openly about race with each other and with adults in their lives.

Stage 3 – Internalization

Kerwin and Ponterottos identify three stages of biracial identity development:

• Identity is not just about race, but also about other aspects of self. For example, your racial identity may change as you grow older and develop new perspectives on yourself and others.

• Racial identity is still developing. In other words, it’s not static or fixed like most people think it is; it changes over time as we learn more about ourselves and our society at large. As an adult who identifies as biracial (and who has lived in two different cultures), I’ve noticed that my self-concept changed dramatically over time—and this wasn’t because I suddenly became comfortable with myself! Rather than seeing myself through the lens of either culture alone (as many do), I began seeing myself through multiple lenses simultaneously: both white American standards for beauty vs African American ones; both feminist ideals vs male-dominated ones; etcetera…

Stage 4 – Symmetry

The fourth stage of biracial identity development is symmetry. In this stage, a child has developed an acceptance of their own biracial identity and can be themselves without having to hide their heritage. The majority of children who have experienced this process will express pride in who they are as well as include both sides of their ancestry in their self-identity. They may choose some traits from each side or all together; however, it’s important that there is no attempt at forcing harmony between cultures into one person’s personality or worldviews when it comes down to how they feel about themselves overall. This allows for true self-expression without fear or judgement (which can happen otherwise).

Biracial people can be at different stages of their racial identity development!

While it’s true that biracial people can be at different stages of their racial identity development, it’s also true that they can be in the same stage. For example, a biracial person may be in one stage of development when interacting with his family and another when interacting with friends.

On top of this, no two individuals are exactly alike! Some people may be at a higher level than others due to their upbringing or cultural influences; however, there is no one-size fits all approach here because everyone has their own unique experience with race and ethnicity within themselves as well as outside of themselves—whether it’s through experiences like growing up within an interracial relationship (like Ponterotto), having parents who don’t speak about race often enough for you to understand what each term means (like Kerwin), or simply being born into a mixed-race family whose members have never discussed race before becoming adults (like Ponterottos).

Conclusion

As we can see from this model, biracial people are going through a lot of stages in their racial identity development. The first stage is one of confusion and insecurity about how to cope with being mixed race. The second stage is an awareness that they don’t fit into either category and may need help from family or friends who have similar experiences. This leads on to the third stage where it becomes clear that some parts of them are more dominant than others, so now they need to decide when it’s time for them to start differentiating themselves as well as accepting who they are at their core.