I – Identity & Self-Love: Celebrating Who We Are

Strong cultural ties and community connection are essential protective factors that can impact the mental health and well-being of young people in significant ways. Research into the theory of social identity shows that a person’s sense of identity and self-esteem are derived from their individual characteristics and the social groups to which they belong. These social groups can include racial, ethnic, and faith communities. When an individual identifies with a particular group, they tend to adopt its values and to see the group’s successes as their own, which boosts their personal sense of belonging and worth. 

Cultural awareness and pride

This is particularly relevant for young people from under-resourced and under-served communities, where a strong connection to a cultural or ethnic group can be a vital source of pride and resilience. These connections can help counteract negative stereotypes and discrimination. For example, research shows that a strong sense of ethnic or racial identity can serve as a buffer against the harmful effects of racism and discrimination.

Research has also shown that having a strong connection to one’s cultural background can strengthen social support networks, which reinforces ties to families and communities that share the same cultural background and creates a built-in support system. 

Instilling resilience

Racial socialization is the overall process children experience that helps them understand and navigate race in society, which includes the reality of racism. This involves both direct conversations and unspoken messages. For members of under-resourced groups, racial socialization is often an intentional effort by parents and caregivers to prepare their children for the realities they may face in society. 

Messages can include:

• Belief in social equality: Teaching children that all people deserve equal rights and opportunity, regardless of their cultural background.
• Preparation for bias: Teaching children about the possibility and reality of racism and discrimination, and providing them with strategies to cope with it. 
• Finding community: Teaching children to seek out supportive people and communities, whether from similar or different backgrounds, when they feel a lack of belonging.

Fostering positive identity and coping skills

Cultural socialization is a positive and identity-affirming process. It is a specific component of racial socialization and helps to build a child’s self-esteem and resilience. 

By fostering a strong sense of identity and pride, cultural socialization provides a powerful buffer against the negative impacts of discrimination. This positive sense of self and community supports young people to thrive even when faced with adversity. Research has shown positive self-image to be most consistently linked to positive child adjustment. 

Ways to promote cultural socialization include:

• Transmit heritage: Sharing knowledge about your history, traditions, customs, and values through storytelling, celebrating cultural holidays, or cooking traditional foods.
• Encourage cultural pride: Fostering a positive self-image and a sense of belonging by celebrating the unique aspects of your culture, such as a parent emphasizing the achievements of historical figures from their community.
• Promote cultural values: Teaching children the beliefs and values of your culture, which can serve as a moral compass and a source of strength.

The Takeaway

A strong sense of cultural identity and community connection are fundamental protective factors for a young person’s mental health and well-being. As they take an intentional approach to foster a sense of belonging, build support networks, and transmit cultural pride, parents and caregivers can help to build connections that provide a powerful buffer against stress and adversity. Rooted in their heritage and connected to their community, young people from under-resourced and under-served communities can build the resilience and self-worth needed to navigate a complex world and thrive.

Learn more and download our Identity & Self-Love Guides and Workbooks

1. Identity & Self-Love Mini Workbook. Cultivate self-worth, cultural pride, and purpose, and explore ways to empower young people to stand tall in their truth.
2. Built to Thrive Full Workbook. The Identity & Self-Love mini workbook is part of Built to Thrive, an interactive workbook created by The Steve Fund.
3. Safe & Seen: Building Secure and Trusting Relationships Guide. Explore ways to help your young person develop strong, positive bonds with others by modeling these practices yourself.

References:

• Tang, McLoyd, Hallman, NIH, PMC PubMed Central, 2017. Racial Socialization
• Aguayo, Hernandez, Yasui, Estabrook, Anderson, Davis, Briggs-Gowan, Wakschlag, Heard-Garris, NIH, PMC PubMed Central, 2023. Cultural Socialization in Childhood 
• Hughes, Rodriguez, Smith, Johnson, Stevenson, Spicer, NIH, PMC PubMed Central, 2006. Parents’ Ethnic-Racial Socialization Practices
• Conroy, French, Sanchez, Hagan, Bagner, Comer, NIH, PMC PubMed Central, 2022. What’s Race Got to Do With It?
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33–47). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole. 
• Fagan, Psychology Today, 2022, Helping Teens Feel Good About Their Racial Identity
• Coard, Sellers, APA PsycNet, 2005, African American Families as a Context for Racial Socialization 
• Yasui, Dishion, Stormshak, Ball, The University of Chicago Press Journals, Volume 6, Number 3, Socialization of Culture and Coping with Discrimination Among American Indian Families
• Wang, Benner, NIH, PMC PubMed Central, 2017. Cultural Socialization across Contexts
• Huges, Rodriguez, Smith, Johnson, Stevenson, Spicer, NIH, PMC PubMed Central, 2006. Parents’ ethnic-racial socialization practices