Learning about one’s cultural heritage supports the identity development of ethnic minority children

What is it about?

Growing up in societies where they may experience racism puts ethnic minority children are at risk of developing negative feelings regarding their ethnic identity. However, little is known about how the identity-related feelings of ethnic minority children change as they grow up, and how parents can best shape these feelings. We tracked children for three consecutive years and found that their identity-related feelings become less negative as they age. Importantly, we found that the more children learned about their cultural heritage from their mothers, the less negative their identity-related feelings became.

Featured Image

Photo by Kindred Hues Photography on Unsplash

Photo by Kindred Hues Photography on Unsplash

Why is it important?

What children learn about culture, ethnicity, and racism is understudied in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Nevertheless, wherever they live, racism at school, online, and in broader society remains a threat to the healthy development of ethnic minority children. Given this reality, it is important to study how parents can best support ethnic minority children’s healthy development. Our study highlights that within ethnic minority communities, teaching children about their cultural heritage should be recognized as a valuable parenting practice.

Perspectives