The Mixed Experience - Identity and Self-expression in Mixed/Biracial Individuals Living in the United States

Abstract

With the number of mixed/biracial individuals steadily increasing, questions regarding identity and identity development of said individuals are emerging. For the purpose of this research, whenever the term mixed/biracial, biracial or mixed is used, these terms refer to individuals with one Black and one White parent. The aim of this study is to examine the ways in which mixed/biracial individuals in the United States experience identity. While identity is something that is personal, it is influenced by many societal factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status. Davenport (2016) states that mixed/biracial individuals generally encounter identity and identity development in different ways and further, that women are generally more likely to identify as mixed/biracial versus men. Hence, the study also examined differences that men and women encounter regarding identity and identity development. This is achieved through inspection of previous research found in relevant sources as well as a survey consisting of 13 questions. The survey was uploaded on various online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Reddit. In order to receive credible and conclusive data, the survey was specifically uploaded on pages of said platforms that cater to mixed/biracial individuals living in the United States. Altogether, data was collected from 52 participants of the survey, 12 of which identify as male and 40 as female. The analysis of the survey data as well as the relevant literature reveled that mixed/biracial individuals living in the United States generally tend to self-identify based on what people close to them such as parents, other family members and friends identify them as. The study further found that men are generally more likely to be identified as Black by others than women. In addition, the study found that while the majority of respondents think that men and women face similar experiences in identifying as mixed/biracial, women’s mixed/biracial appearances played an important role in acceptance of their choice of identifying as mixed/biracial.