THE IDENTITY OF MIXED PARENTAGE ADOLESCENTS

Theories about ''black identity'' are discussed in relation to a study of adolescents with one white and one African or African-Caribbean pa rent Interview findings on their racial self-definition, attitudes to their mixed parentage, and allegiance to black and white people and cu ltures reveal a wide range of racial identities and cultural allegianc es. Differences are related to type of school, social class, and the d egree of politicisation of the young person's attitudes to race. The f indings are discussed in relation to the issue of interracial adoption and fostering, and to recent debates about the concept of an ''essent ial'' black identity.