Racial Identity in

Adolescents Students

BY MARIO ARREOLA MORAGA

SED 464
 Identity Stages of Development in Adolescents

Adolescents of Color often have to go through finding

their identities and start to develop a cultural identity

1. Identity diffusion- adolescents having little

exploration of their race/ethnicity
2. Foreclosure- adolescent doesn’t explore their racial
identity
3. Moratorium- adolescents begin to actively explore
their racial/ethic identities
4. Achievement- adolescents finally understanding their
identities
 Causes/Effects of Adolescent Identity
Crisis
As adolescents begin to develop more, they begin
to examine those around them and begin realize
the social norms/standards.

● Adolescents of color begin to become aware of

their differences from their White counterparts
● Adolescents begin to face the negative attitudes
of race, such as discrimination and stereotypes
● Adolescents who are racially different begin to
feel left out from groups
 Assistance from Schools for Adolescent Identities

● Schools can help students gain a sense of

identity by creating a school environment
that welcomes students of different
backgrounds, not allowing bullying to take
place
● Creating school events that celebrate their
students cultures
 What Can Teachers Do In Their Classrooms ?

1. Create a welcoming classroom, something as simple as

greeting students personally can help students feel more
welcome and have a safe space to be themselves
2. Teachers should try to use assignments and projects as a way
for students to connect to themselves.
3. Address the issues of Racial/ethnaic identities when it comes
up. It can be an uncomfortable issue, but it shows students
that teachers are aware of their issues
4. Create visual representation in the classroom, have posters
and images that represent students of different backgrounds
Reference Page

Mandara, J., Gaylord-Harden, N., Richards, M., & Ragsdale, B. (2009). The Effects of Changes in
Racial Identity and Self-Esteem on Changes in African American Adolescents’ Mental
Health. Child Development, 80(6), 1660–1675.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01360.x

Umaña-Taylor, A., Quintana, S., Lee, R., Cross, W., Rivas-Drake, D., Schwartz, S., Syed, M., Yip,
T., & Seaton, E. (2014). Ethnic and Racial Identity During Adolescence and Into Young
Adulthood: An Integrated Conceptualization. Child Development, 85(1), 21–39. h
ttps://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12196

Verhoeven, M., Poorthuis, A.M.G. & Volman, M. The Role of School in Adolescents’ Identity
Development. A Literature Review. Educ Psychol Rev 31, 35–63 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-018-9457-3