Biracial and Monoracial Identity Development (Essay Sample)

Biracial and Monoracial Identity Development
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Biracial and monoracial identity development
Identity development traces back to the early childhood of an individual to the time he becomes an adult. Biracial, also known as multiracial, includes people or children with parents from different. The process by which an individual self-identify themselves with a multiracial group is called multiracial identity development (Nuttgens, 2010). On the other hand, monoracial identity development involves the process by which a person self-identifies with a racial group. Such people are born of one-race parents. This paper expounds on the importance of viewing biracial identity development differently from monoracial identity development and explains the impact of family, relationship, and cultural belief on biracial identity development.
Biracial individuals display efficient coping mechanisms by accommodating other races comfortably. For example, in the USA, an individual whose parents are European and Africa can quickly race switch, thus de-identifying with certain parts of their identities and again identifying with them whenever they want. This group of people has the privilege of negotiating with different people, friends, communities, and the whole world about their identity (Nuttgens, 2010). Therefore, biracial individuals can switch their identities to fit particular opportunities or escape constraints in society. However, the monoracial individuals have to stick to their one race at all times, thus making it essential to view biracial identity development.
The family impacts biracial identity development by communicating and interacting openly with each other. The parents talk freely with their children about their interracial issues, such as racial discrimination and heritage, making them understand and be confident about their biracial background (Nuttgens, 2010). Relationship contributes to biracial identity development enhancing good interaction with other individuals and understanding them much mo