unit 15 - lecture notes Flashcards
race & ethnicity
Why is the concept of race controversial?
It doesn’t technically exist; there is no biological basis for race as separate categories, it is socially constructed.
What are two racial categories? What are some examples for each? Racial category lines are based on what category?
- Continuous treats- skin colour, height, brain size, nose width, leg length, leg length ratio, number of fast-twitch muscle fibers etc
- Discreet traits- blood type, sickle cell trait etc
Racial category lines are based on continuous traits.
What are four factors of ethnicity?
- Usually, biologically self-perpetuating
- They share a culture
- Members communicate, interact, and identify with one another
- They can be distinguished from other similar groupings
What is the main characteristic of ethnicity? What are examples of this characteristic?
The main characteristic is ethnic groups have boundaries.
ex. Veganism, ancestry etc
Boundaries can be anything; they are not physical but cultural
What is the difference between ethnic groups and racialized groups?
- Ethnic groups have cultural boundaries
- Racialized groups have hereditary physical similarities
What are the three measures of ethnicity?
- Origins - from where ancestors emigrated
- Identity - to whom they feel they belong
- Mother tongue - the first language they learned
What are the four types of patterns of intergroup relations?
- Annihilation
- Stratification
- Pluralism
- Assimilation
What are two forms that stratification can take?
- Colonialism- one group dominates the other
- Segregation- the physical and social separation of categories of people
What is the benefit of institutional completeness? What is the challenge?
Benefit - Create a place of belonging and a sense of identity
Challenge - If you want it to leave the area, would you be able to support yourself and become integrated into the norm of social life in the country
Assimilation is the opposite of what?
Opposite of Pluralism; ethnicity is surrendered.
What are the four dimensions of assimilation?
- Cultural- Merging of values and standards
- Structural - equal occupation distribution, education levels, political participation etc
- Psychological- attitude of “oneness”
- Biological - blending of genetic patterns through long interbreeding
What are six factors of assimilation?
- Ethnic neighborhood residence
- Ethnic identification
- Endogamy
- Ethnic religious affiliation
- In group interaction
- Ethnic language retention
What are two examples of selective assimilation?
- Public acculturation- Men are expected to get out into society and reap the rewards of a Canadian society
- Private ethnicity- women are expected to stay home and preserve their ethnic identity, language, foods etc
What 6 reasons as to why some groups more successful in resisting assimilation?
- Geographical concentration - settling in selected localities
- Modernity v. post modernity- ethnic mobilization as reaction to modernization
- Nationalism- increased ethnic consciousness creates demand for political independence
- Split labour markets - ethnic consciousness as response to economic predicament
- Segregated labour markets - ethnic groups dominating certain labour markets
- Race/Ethnicity/Nationality as resource- using identity and community or network to personal advantage
In regards to race, ethnicity, or nationality being used as a resource, what is the negative aspect? The positive?
Negative - nepotism
Positive - Calling up your identity to receive benefits or privileges
