According to the 2000 Census, the County of Los Angeles is home to 2,667,976 children. Of this population, 174,668 (6.5%) identify as more than one race. Given their minority status, these children often go to schools where there are few other multiracial children. Although many multiracial children are able to easily navigate the world of elementary school without any stress due to their race, many others face a range of issues that are at least partially due to their identity. Compounding this problem is the lack of resources available for the parents of multiracial children.
The purpose of the MASC Elementary Parent Project (EPP) is to provide the parents of multiracial or transracially adopted elementary-age children with the resources necessary to address any issues their children may face due to their racial identity. The secondary purpose is to educate school staff and faculty, as well as parents of monoracial children, to make them aware of issues they should consider when dealing with multiracial children.
In order to achieve this purpose, the EPP aims to put on presentations at Los Angeles elementary schools. Each presentation will be an engaging mix of lecture, group exercises, and small group discussion. Topics may include:
 | Talking to your child about race |
| Understanding what your child may face as a multiracial individual |
| Building self-esteem in your child |
In addition to using materials on multiracial parenting created by other organizations, MASC will make use of its own members, many of whom have extensive experience in the field of parental education and child development.
Project Updates
2/11/07: A few months we held our first presentation at Antioch University. If you would like to learn more, please e-mail jonathan.brent@mascsite.org. Please include "MASC" in the subject line of your e-mail.
2/15/06: We are currently looking for schools willing to host a presentation, as well as subject matter experts who may want to serve as presenters. If you are interested in either, please contact the Project Director: jonathan.brent@mascsite.org.