Ethnicity help!

8 replies

GiaRihannaxo · 07/04/2019 15:20

Hi, new here!
Wasn’t sure where to ask this, but here it goes.
I am mixed race, white and black Caribbean, my children’s father is white.
We have 2 beautiful daughters with a slight tan.
I was recently in hospital with my youngest, and I saw the question ‘ethnicity of patient’ now I’m unsure what I tick!
For myself I have always ticked mixed - white and black Caribbean (my mum is white my dad is black Caribbean) however, technically my daughters are mixed - mixed white and black Caribbean and white (if that makes sense)

So what ethnicity are my children? And what box would they tick? I’d like to know so I can tell them when they are older and have to fill forms out themselves
Thank you :)

OP posts:

lovinglifexo · 07/04/2019 15:21

technically they are mixed.

if there’s an other , I would put that.

I wouldn’t put mixed - white and black because ur kids won’t visually like that so it would seem quite odd

DocusDiplo · 07/04/2019 15:22

I would tick same as you. But for medical forms write more clearly in case it helps with genetic information etc

lovinglifexo · 07/04/2019 15:23

Sorry that was rather unclear- I mean to say they are mixed but not imo mixed enough to be considered mixed - white and black. If that makes sense. So I would simply tick other or white if they present white.

NottonightJosepheen · 07/04/2019 15:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MNHQ

KimMumsnet · 14/04/2019 21:08

Hi GiaRihannaxo
Welcome to Mumsnet!
Just FYI we've got loads of different Talk boards so do have a browse (click on Talk), and there is one for multicultural parents here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/multicultural_families
which you might find useful.
All the best
Kim
MNHQ

Jingzhou · 14/04/2019 21:13

I get my dc to choose heir own box now they are old enough.

Before that I just picked the one I thought was closest. Sometimes there is an 'other' box. I don't overthink it as it's just for data collection. It's not defining who they are.

LookForMe · 14/04/2019 21:23

I'm the same mix as your children and I've always ticked mixed white and black Caribbean.

3dogs2cats · 21/04/2019 20:29

I’ve always struggled with this. I look white , but with really curly hair, but I have 1 African great grandfather. There is a big story behind it. And it was certainly a really important thing for my Dad, who looked mixed race. So putting white denies my family history. Putting mixed feels almost presumptuous.. your children are I step closer. Definitely put mixed, or you are writing your self out of their history, and also there are health implications.

Flip