Ethnic Identity Flashcards
How has ethnicity been defined by some sociologists
A sense of cultural awareness and identity within groups whose members share a common history or heritage.
What is cultural awareness influenced by?
Religion, language, skin colour, religion and racism.
Study on 3rd/4th generation Muslims living in the UK?
Most muslims living in the UK are third or fourth generation, so they were born directly in the UK. Most of them are under the age of 30 and are bilingual. Many of them are in low paying employment and are ‘unskilled’.
It is very likely that their feelings on their ethnic identity is very different to those ethnic identities of the first generation Muslims who emigrated here in the 50s
What did Ghumann find
He found that tradition, religion and family values like respect for elders and prayer were central aspects of the primary socialisation of Asian children. The mothers language was important to be linked between each generations so children are mostly bilingual as well.
What did Jacobson find
That some Pakistani-Muslims are adopting strong Islamic identity in response to the join US-UK invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, and things like Islamophobia.
Criticism to Jacobsons findings?
That research suggests that most young Muslims in Britain express a strong sense of belonging to British society and feel integrated. There is little evidence that young Asians are turning to fundamentalist Islam as an alternative. Extremist Islamic views are held by a very small minority.
What is an hybrid identity
An identity held by a person who subscribes to two or three important cultural roots.
Example of hybrid identity
A British-born young Pakistani male may feel a strong connection to his parents country of origin and support Pakistan in sports games when playing against England etc, and choose to speak both the native language and English.
What did Johal (1998) find
He found that many educated young Asians subscribed to a dual identity that he called ‘Brasain’. He suggested that they inherit an Asian identity that is used predominately in the home. However they then use a ‘white mask’ in environments such as school so they can interact and communicate with their white peers.
What did Ghuman’s research find
Found that Hindu and Sikh children were brought up to respect tradition and to put religious commitment and family honour before their own interests.
What did Charlotte Butlers research find
She found that third-generation young British Muslims women had access to a variety of possible identities. Some chose to reflect their ascribed position through traditional dress but others took a more ‘negotiated’ position, by adopting western ideas about education whilst retaining respect for their religion.
What does Gilroy (1993) argue
Argued that African-Caribbean identity could be described as ‘Black Atlantic’ because young Black people in the UK identified with the racism and powerlessness they saw themselves as sharing with their American peers.
What did Back (1996) find
He found evidence of ethnic or cultural hybridity among White youth in the 90s. White youths were attracted to and adopted many aspects of Black culture including speech mannerisms and dress code.
