Question

Tomas is a 17 year-old filipino-american male. At school he never hangs out with other Asian or Asian-American students. He has befriended a clique of Mexican boys and emulates their style and behavior. He tells his mom he doesn't want her to pick him up from school because he's embarrassed by her and refuses to join the family at church. What stage of ethnic identity development might Tomas be in?

Answer 1

Tomas is likely in the exploration stage of ethnic identity development, distancing himself from his Filipino heritage and aligning with a Mexican peer group as he seeks independence and attempts to fit in with his chosen friends.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tomas, a 17-year-old Filipino-American male, appears to be in a stage of ethnic identity development where he is exploring his identity by aligning with a peer group that is different from his familial ethnic group. His behavior, such as befriending a clique of Mexican boys and emulating their style, and his refusal to participate in his family's cultural and religious practices, suggests that he is in a stage of searching or experimenting with different aspects of identity, which is typical for adolescents as they develop a sense of independence and individuality. This is part of the normal process of identity formation where students may adopt different behaviors to fit in with their peers, seeking acceptance and a social identity within their chosen group.