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African American Students in Private, Independent Schools: Parents and School Influences on Racial Identity Development

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Abstract

Although much research has focused on the public school experiences of African American students, few studies exist that explore their race-related experiences within an independent, private school context. Studies have suggested that, while private, independent schools may elevate the quality of African American students’ education, many of these students experience social isolation from their peers. Using a qualitative methodology, the current study explores the experiences of African American students attending a private, independent school. Moreover, this investigation explores how schools as well as parental contexts contribute to racial identity development. Results indicated the importance of parents, schools and other significant institutions as racial socialization agents as well as their influence on specific identity-related processes. Educational implications for findings are also discussed.

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Notes

  1. Independent or private schools are financially independent from state and local government and may or may not have a religious affiliation. In this study, the terms independent and private schools are used interchangeably.

  2. The terms African American and Black are used interchangeably.

  3. William preferred to sit with the same group of non-Black, life-long friends; Barbara student sat at various tables, including the Black table; and Crystal preferred to sit alone, occasionally sitting at the Black table.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Counselor Education, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7801, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7801, USA

    Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby

  2. Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7650, Raleigh, NC, 27695-7650, USA

    Pamela P. Martin

  3. Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Shauna M. Cooper

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  1. Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby
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  2. Pamela P. Martin
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  3. Shauna M. Cooper
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Correspondence to Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby.

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DeCuir-Gunby, J.T., Martin, P.P. & Cooper, S.M. African American Students in Private, Independent Schools: Parents and School Influences on Racial Identity Development. Urban Rev 44, 113–132 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-011-0178-x

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