NPR focuses on blog: Plight of Mixed-Race Children

Ok, I'm jumping right in on this one...

This author got his info and research from only (9) mixed-race undergrads at Harvard. 

Sigh.....

I didn't and don't make a practice of engaging in "risky" behavior. I guess I don't fit the mold they've uncovered.  Here's a excerpt that really bothers me.   I don't doubt the research as authentic, yet I don't think it's a fair nor accurate representation and I just don't like the spin.  The paper notes:  "We argue that these behavioral patterns are most consistent with the “marginal man” hypothesis, which we formalize as a two-sector Roy model. Mixed race adolescents – not having a natural peer group – need to engage in more risky behaviors to be accepted."   I find this offensive. I feel the research presented could only further promote the stereotype that mixed-race children and their advocates challenge and work against.  

Adolescent behavior is risky across demographics, regardless of race, ethnicity or class.  I know many mono-racial, poor, wealthy, and immigrant adolescents who behaved in outrageous manners. Most children are confronted with situations to give into NEGATIVE peer pressure. But there are some adolescents who just simply follow the rules, they don't ruffle feathers.  I didn't see my parents go with the flow or be swayed by negative peer pressure.  They had enough negativity chasing them already (being a mixed couple in Detroit during the riots).  , I contend that there's no reason to suspect nor conclude in any sweeping fashion that mixed-race children behave badly to fit in or be accepted.  To some children "fitting in" or being accepted is so paramount that they'll do whatever to satisfy that need to be accepted.  While others strive hard towards the elusive "perfect kid" syndrome.  

Okay, that's my two-cents... Now check out some of the findings... These really bother me too!



NPR  Hosts a Blogger Roundtable to discuss a blog posted by Steven D. Levitt on Freakonomics.  Levitt wondered, "What's it like to grow up with one parent who is black and another who is white?"  Here's some of his findings:

1) Mixed-race kids grow up in households that are similar along many dimensions to those in which black children grow up: similar incomes, the father is much less likely to be around than in white households, etc.

2) In terms of academic performance, mixed-race kids fall in between blacks and whites.

3) Mixed-race kids do have one advantage over white and black kids: the mixed-race kids are much more attractive on average.

4) There are some bad adolescent behaviors that whites do more than blacks (like drinking and smoking), and there are other bad adolescent behaviors that blacks do more than whites (watching TV, fighting, getting sexually transmitted diseases). Mixed-race kids manage to be as bad as whites on the white behaviors and as bad as blacks on the black behaviors. Mixed-race kids act out in almost every way measured in the data set.

Read the paper The Plight of Mixed Race Adolescents* he co-authored with Roland Fryer, Lisa Kahn and Jorg Spenkuch.

I can only say a sarcastic "Thanks alot guys"  

If you ever want to balance your study, contact me!  No, Seriously.