Cross-race/ethnic friendships in school

Abstract

In this chapter, current research on cross-race/ethnic friendships of children and adolescents in school settings is reviewed. In the first part of the chapter, research on the prevalence, meaning, and function of cross-race/ethnic friendships is discussed. The second section considers school organizational and instructional practices, such as academic tracking, that might interfere with the opportunity to form cross-race/ethnic friendships even in ethnically diverse schools. The third section reviews school-based interventions, including prejudice reduction programs, that can promote the development of friendships that cross racial and ethnic boundaries. The chapter concludes with reflections on promising directions for future research. Harnessing the power of cross-race/ethnic friendships may be critical for promoting tolerance of multiple groups in this era of increasingly racial/ethnic diversity.