Biracial Youth: The Role of the School Counselor in Racial Identity Development

Posted in Articles, Identity Development/Psychology, Media Archive, Teaching Resources on 2011-01-18 04:41Z by Steven

Biracial Youth: The Role of the School Counselor in Racial Identity Development

Professional School Counseling
2001-10-01

Teri Olisky

Amy E. Benedetto

Since the 1967 Supreme Court decision of Loving v. Virginia, which prohibits anti-miscegenation laws, the number of biracial births has more than tripled (Sandor & Larson, 1994). Schwartz (1998a) reported that through 1996 more than 100,000 babies were born annually to parents of interracial marriages. Literature also suggests that a disproportionate number of biracial youth require special attention in school due to difficult behaviors (Herring, 1995; McRoy & Freeman, 1986). These behaviors are affecting school performance and, as such, counselors will likely find themselves assisting a student of biracial descent. Because school counselors  are in a unique position to assist biracial youth, it is important that these professionals are multiculturally sensitive and knowledgeable about working with these students.

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