Children's Perceptions of Interethnic and Interracial Friendships in a Multiethnic School Context

Abstract

Some literature exists on children's real-life interracial and interethnic friendships. However, a scarcity of research exists on children's perceptions of these relationships. This cross-sectional study investigated children's perceptions of interracial friendships by employing the Perceptions of Intergroup Friendships Questionnaire. A total of 108 children attending an ethnically and racially diverse, urban elementary school in a midsize northeastern city were interviewed employing the questionnaire. Results indicate that Kindergarten/1^st- and 4^th/5^th-graders differ significantly in their perceptions of intergroup friendships. In addition, African American children demonstrated more positive perceptions of intergroup friendships than did European American children.

Keywords:

• children's friendships
• intergroup friendship
• race
• ethnicity

Notes

1. Racial and ethnic labels are used as they are cited in the literature they reference.

2. Participants are described as African American and European American, as the majority of participants of color self-identified as African American, although White participants identified as “Caucasian” or “White.” This author chose to use ethnic labels for uniformity and so as not to use ethnic and racial identifiers interchangeably.