Socialization to Race and Its Relationship to Racial Identification among African Americans

Abstract

This study focuses on the relationship between socialization to race and the level of racial identification among African Americans. In a survey of 225 African Americans (140 females and 85 males, 18 years of age or older) participants were asked to report on the extent and content of discussions related to race in their family and the impact of these discussions on their beliefs and attitudes related to race. Racial identification was assessed using a 30-item questionnaire that assessed racial identity on four parameters: cultural, physical, sociopolitical, and psychological. The relationship offamily socialization to race and racial identification was examined. The results indicated that 79% of African American adults reported having discussed race and race relations with their parents and 85% had discussed the issue with anotherfamily member There was an association between racial socialization and racial identification on each of the four parameters. Discussions of race with family members other than parents, as well as the impact of racial socialization, were strongly associated with the level of racial identification.