Ethnic Awareness in Children: Not a Unitary Concept

Abstract

Summary Kindergarten and second-grade children (N = 120) were studied with respect to their preferences for unisex pictures differing by ethnic characteristics. Three ethnic groups (Black, Anglo, Hispanic) were represented. Questions tapped friendship preferences, identification (similarity), as well as status envy. Results indicated that all three groups identified their own ethnic pictures correctly and tended to prefer same-ethnic friends and statuses. Anglo children were the most same-ethnic preferred. Earlier literature was re-examined and discussed in light of the present results and possible explanations for discrepancies in the ethnic-preference literature were given.