Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Studying Minority Children: An International Perspective.

During the past decades, studies have begun to look at individual differences within groups of minority children, and at the psychological impact of discrimination, oppression, and political violence on their lives. This paper presents conditions that facilitate the well-being of minority children around the world and that seem to transcend ethnic, racial, religious, socioeconomic and geographic boundaries. The first section of the paper addresses emotional support from family members and its importance. The second section addresses caring adults and peers in the community and how children are assisted, while the third section addresses the roles of teachers, which include protective buffer, imparter of skills, counselor, and positive role model. The fourth section of the paper addresses faith as a sense of coherence in times of hardship. The fifth section addresses required helpfulness and describes the importance of supporting the family. The sixth section addresses internal resources such as special skills and talents. The paper concludes with an argument for consideration of a transactional model of development for minority children, advocating longitudinal studies that look at the development of minority children at critical transition periods, qualitative studies that describe this process, and examination of intervention programs and of governmental programs that promote or inhibit the well-being of minority children. (SD)