October 17, 1997
Biracial siblings sought for study that explores differing racial identities
The 2000 federal census will include an historic change in the way Americans can identify their race, and a University of Washington professor is interested in learning how and why biracial siblings often develop different racial identities.
Maria Root, a psychologist and associate professor of American Ethnic Studies, is looking for 60 pairs of adult siblings in Washington state and the Portland, Ore., area to participate in a study that will explore how people of mixed ancestry develop their racial identity and how they viewed themselves when they were growing up.
“Siblings in biracial families often identify differently,” says Root. “I’m interested finding out how people raised in the same family end up with such different identities and how people determine what is important about their ancestry.
“We know the number of biracial people in the United States has increased and that people have changed the definition of who they are,” she adds. “There are estimates that one million biracial people were born in the U.S. in the last decade, but we have no accurate records because of the way census data have been gathered.”
To be eligible for Root’s study, sibling pairs must be at least 18 years old — there is no upper age limit — and have the same biological parents. They can be of any bi- or multi-racial combination. Those who participate in the study will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, which takes approximately 90 minutes, and agree to two private follow-up interviews without their sibling present. Participants will be paid $60 after completing the questionnaire and interviews.
For more information about the study contact Root at (206) 543-4219 or by e-mail at mroot@u.washington.edu.
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