Race and Ethnicity

1. Race and Ethnicity Dilworth-Anderson, P., Burton, L. M., & Johnson, L. B. (1993). Reframing theories for understanding race, ethnicity, and families. In P. G. Boss, W. J. Doherty, R. LaRossa, W. R. Schumm, & S. K. Steinmetz (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theories and methods: A contextual approach (pp. 627-649). New York: Plenum Press.

2. Definitions: • Race: • Cultural construction of identity based on social description. • From this perspective, race has a cultural reality. • Ethnicity: • An experientially based identity that is part of an ongoing process. • It is part of the social self which contributes to a personal sense of peoplehood as well as a sense of shared identity with others form the same group. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

3. Definitions (cont.): • Minority group: • Any collective of people (e.g., women, Native-Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans) that is assigned a low social position. • This low social position reflects oppression, suppression, and discrimination that is experienced in almost all aspects of life. • Culture: a subjective and objective expression of self which represents the encompassing aspects of a person’s life; it includes racial and ethnic • rituals • symbols • language • general patterns of behavior. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

4. Impact of Assumptions, Values, and Ethnic Reality • From age four, European-American children hold negative attitudes toward other groups (Aboud, 1987) which are reinforced at all levels (e.g., from parents, media, teachers) (Phinney & Rotheram, 1987). • Values and scientific truths are confused when scholars uncritically use their personal cultural frameworks to define and report on a culture other than their own. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

5. Three Approaches to Value Intrusion in Social Science: • Value rejection: suggest that social scientists can be objective so values do not influence theory and research. • Value separation: approach social science as if it is possible to separate values from research and theory. • Value espousal: scholars should clearly articulate their values so that readers may understand the complete nature of the research. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

6. Example of Research Which Reflects Bias: • Moynihan (1965), a European-American: • Described deterioration of African-American families. • Suggested that social policies should be developed which would change their “inferior” values and structure. • Hill (1972), an African-American: • Observed the resilience of African-American families. • Recommended social policies which would build on these strengths. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

7. Dimensions Which Influence Thinking About Diversity • Social climate and social change influence theory (e.g., genetic pathology versus cultural relativity), research, and practice. • Presence of minorities in studies of the family and method of group comparison. • Definition of the family (e.g., nuclear versus extended; blood relationship versus other networks known as “fictive kin”). Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

8. Creating New Ways of Thinking • Adopt a multi-disciplinary perspective in order to avoid discipline-bound truths. • Identify and use culturally relevant concepts: examine various methodologies to understand minority families; examine culture and experiences expressed through • art, • music, • dance, • literature, • and folktales. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

9. Cultural Relevance in Existing Theory • The Life Course Perspective • Strengths for studying diversity: • It is based on an interdisciplinary way of thinking. • It is flexible and dynamic, focusing on the interlocking nature of individual trajectories, re: • temporal motion • culture • social change • Modified perspective: “Kin-scripts framework” reviews • temporal and interdependent dimensions of role transitions • transmission of family norms • process of negotiation and reciprocity Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

10. Cultural Relevance in Existing Theory (cont.) • Family Stress Theory • Limited attempts to make this approach culturally relevant. • Suggestions to enhance cultural relevance: • Recognize that minority families emphasize survival over adaptation; adaptation is a fundamental theme in family stress theory. • Survival suggests an ongoing struggle to maintain psychosocial balance without loss of identity. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

11. Cultural Relevance in Existing Theory (cont.) • Feminist Ideology: • Some scholars (e.g., Collins, 1990; Giddings, 1984; La Rue, 1970) dispute a central feminist assumption: they object to the tenet that women are oppressed. • Rather, these scholars suggest that opportunities for women are restricted, suggesting that they experience suppression. • Distinction between terms: • Oppression refers to almost total restriction from access to benefits, rights, and privileges in society. • Suppression refers to a lesser degree of restriction. Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson