Stages of development of racial identity
Research suggests that the need for a stronger sense of identity is common for adopted children regardless of whether they have been adopted from overseas or not.
Children adopted from overseas are more able to develop their sense of racial identity if parents understand and integrate their child's race, ethnicity and culture into the family. It is important that parents cultivate their child's racial identity rather than deny, assume or pretend that it does not matter.
Adoptive parents are responsible for assisting their child to develop pride in their ethnic and cultural identity, and ensuring that the child has the necessary skills to deal with racism and discrimination.
There are four stages of development of a child's racial identity:
- Stage 1 - Pre-encounter
- Stage 2 - Encounter
- Stage 3 - Awakening or immersion
- Stage 4 - Internalisation or commitment
Stage 1 - Pre-encounter
At this stage of developing racial identity, children lack interest in the concept of race. They are likely to interpret the world from the perspective of the majority culture and see no reason to challenge the views and behaviours of the majority culture. Children may even think and behave in ways that devalue their own culture.
Stage 2 - Encounter
Children have experienced one or many 'critical incidents' that are inconsistent with their earlier beliefs. A critical incident can be a single encounter with a racist, an oppressive experience or a series of more subtle experiences with racism. Examples of critical incidents include name calling, exclusion from groups or activities, or exposure to stereotyping.
These critical incidents cause children to question and re-examine previously held beliefs of the majority culture. They may experience confusion about their own culture as well as the majority culture. Children may begin to develop new ideas and positive stereotypes about their own ethnic group as well as negative stereotypes about the dominant culture or other groups.
Stage 3 - Awakening or immersion
At this stage of developing racial identity, children have searched for their identity and are committed to their cultural and ethnic roots. This stage reflects the opposite of the pre-encounter stage - children are likely to reject the views and behaviours of other groups and embrace the views and behaviours of their own racial group.
Children immerse themselves in the dress, language, social networks, music, art, foods and other expressions of their cultural identification and reject those of the majority culture.
Confrontation and bluntness become the norm. Children may also challenge others within their cultural and ethnic group who are not immersed or as confrontational with differences as they are themselves.
Stage 4 - Internalisation or commitment
At this stage of racial identity development, children are secure and self confident about their difference. After the intensity of the awakening or immersion stage, children develop a balanced, integrated perspective on their racial identity. Children appreciate and even assimilate traits from other cultural and ethnic groups.
Further information
Refer to the list of suggested reading for further information on racial identity.
- Last updated
- 19 October 2007