JC
A reporter for the Ledger discusses race and identity with some teens from Lakeland High School in Florida. What she found is that diversity is much more a part of their life now than for teens in generations past. They are more likely to “blend”. Why? Well, just look around!

Now, when black kids hang with white kids, rich kids with poor kids, Christian kids with Jewish kids, gay kids with straight kids, people hardly look up. For teens, diversity may be a more natural part of life. “Today’s teens and collegians date more ethnically across lines and have groups of friends that are ethnically diverse, and they don’t think too much about it,” said William Strauss, who along with Neil Howe co-authored “Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation” (Vintage, 2000, $14.95).

Researchers who follow teen trends attribute the shift to a variety of factors. Some say films and television shows that feature diverse casts are setting examples for today’s teens. Others say the Internet is making it easier for teens to meet people from different backgrounds.

Strauss said he believes the reason is more basic: many of today’s teens are the offspring of a wave of immigrants who have flooded America since the 1960s, resulting in more diverse schools and neighborhoods. In other words, these teens simply grew up with diverse friends. “It’s a very natural part of who they are,” said Strauss.

Teens will need to continue to address these issues, as well as issues of gender and economic equity, in the future, said Strauss. But overall, he said he expects today’s teens — and the generations to follow them — to become increasingly tolerant. “Their leading role models are (mixed race) people like Tiger Woods and Barak Obama. It’s the message, the accomplishment, the person — it’s not the race,” he said.