| Description |
Research in multicultural identity is complex, difficult, and messy, which is why it is an evolving field. This research sought to explore the question: How do multicultural youth in Utah County navigate the complexities of their pluralistic identity? To understand of the origins of the devaluing of multiculturalism a theoretical framework of critical race theory, critical whiteness studies, and cultural assemblage was used to explore the complex issues which influence identity creation and navigation in multicultural youth. Interviews, observations, and a focus group were conducted with six self-identified multicultural youth in Utah County between the ages of 12-18 to gain a deeper understanding of their complex lives. The findings of this research discuss the factors of cultural complexity which influence the creation and cultivation of identity in multicultural youth. They address the invisible labor these youth deal with while defining and defending their unique cultural perspective. And lastly, they demonstrate how multicultural youth attempt to create authenticity by meshing their cultures together in meaning ways, using cultural assemblage as identified by the collected data. |
