How Do Parents Of Multiracial Children Describe Multiracial Socialization?

Abstract Despite the unique experience of interracial families, research on parents of Multiracial children and their racial socialization experiences is scarce. Thus, the current study investigates the socialization practices of parents with Multiracial children. In addition, we examine the links between Multiracial-specific socialization, parent’s own racial background, and their perceptions of their children’s Multiracial social experiences. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we coded parents’ spontaneous descriptions of Multiracial-specific socialization and measured their quantitative self-reports of engagement in cultural socialization, Multiracial stigma awareness, perceived child’s frequency of identity denial experiences, and perceived child’s sense of racial belonging among peers. Qualitative analysis revealed additional themes of Multiracial-specific socialization (i.e., physical appearance, Multiracial pride, family ancestry, parents of different backgrounds, Multiracial network). Quantitative analyses revealed that parents’ Multiracial stigma awareness and perceptions of their child’s identity denial experiences were related to their engagement in Multiracial-specific socialization. Additionally, Multiracial parents reported greater Multiracial stigma awareness compared to monoracial minority parents. Parents of Multiracial children described additional themes as Multiracial-specific socialization, expanding the current literature. Additionally, greater awareness of Multiracial experiences related to greater engagement in racial socialization. Future work should further explore parents’ experiences of Multiracial-specific socialization.