“My friends taught me”: Peer networks of South Asian American emerging adults and adolescent-directed racial ethnic socializa?on

Abstract

This study inves?gates how friendship diversity, bicultural iden?ty integra?on, and cri?cal consciousness predict adolescent-directed racial-ethnic socializa?on (ADRES) among second-genera?on South Asian American emerging adults. Using survey data from 190 South Asian American emerging adults, the study examines the frequency with which par?cipants ini?ate conversa?ons with their parents about cultural pluralism, awareness of discrimina?on, and avoidance of outgroups. Results indicate that greater racial- ethnic diversity in par?cipants’ peer networks is associated with more frequent ADRES messaging about cultural pluralism and awareness of discrimina?on. Higher bicultural conflict and compartmentaliza?on predict more frequent avoidance of outgroups messaging, while greater cri?cal mo?va?on is linked to less avoidance of outgroups messaging. Gender differences emerged, with female par?cipants more frequently engaging in cultural pluralism and awareness of discrimina?on messaging. These findings highlight the ac?ve role that South Asian American youth may take in socializing their parents about U.S.- related racial and cultural dynamics.Psycholog