Culture Keepers: A Quantitative Analysis of Gendered Ethnic Identity Development

Abstract

Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by the formation and maintenance of identity. Ethnic identity development is likely shaped by gender, such that adolescents internalize gender roles as they formulate and maintain their ethnic identity. The current study assessed gender differences in ethnic identity exploration and commitment, as well as differences in cultural socialization, consistent with the hypotheses that women are "keepers of culture." Further, the current study examined whether the relation between gender role attitudes and ethnic identity commitment varies by ethnic group and gender. Analyses from a sample of 370 adolescents from four major ethnic groups?African American, Asian American, Latina/o, and White?indicated partial support for the culture keepers hypotheses, such that there was evidence for gender differences in ethnic identity exploration. Furthermore, gender role attitudes predicted ethnic identity commitment differently across ethnic groups. The current study is among the first to explore the relation between the gender intensification hypotheses and ethnic identity development. Limitations, future directions, and applications are discussed.