Variations in selected parent variables in parents' perception of biracial (African American /White) children's early racial identification

This study examined and described fifty-eight (N = 58) Black/White parent couples with biracial children (N = 116). The parents completed a survey using the Ideas About Parenting Scale (Revised), Black Racial Identity Scale, the White Racial Identity Scale and the Discussing Race With Your Child Questionnaire that assessed the relationships between their parenting styles, stage of racial identity development, race and gender, and variables reflecting their involvement in their biracial children's early racial socialization.;Significant race differences were found between parents' reports of the initial racial label adopted by their child. More Black than White parents reported their children as having adopted a “Black” or “African American” label and as having adopted “no racial label.” More White than Black parents reported their children as having adopted an “other” racial labels.;Parents' levels of racial identity development assessed on a continuum of five developmental stages placed white subjects at the two advanced stages of “pseudo-independence” and “autonomy” and Black parents at the advanced stages of “emersion” and “internalization.” Ancillary findings revealed significant relationships between parents' scores on each of the five stages of racial identity development and the extent of their involvement with their biracial child's early racial identity socialization. Advanced stages of racial identity development correlate with increased parent pro-activity in discussing race with their children.;Factors contributing to these findings are discussed along with the need for more research to determine the psychological impact of which differences in parents racial socialization practices exert on biracial children's racial identity and healthy personality development.