Ruth’s Sociology Resources Blog


Ethnic Identities

Posted in Uncategorized by Ruth on the April 21st, 2006
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Key ideas/points you should be able to write about for ethnic identities:Hands

  • What do we mean by ethnicity?
  • Is ethnicity a simple or complex idea?
  • What is ethnicity based upon?
  • How are ethnic identities formed?
  • You need to look at socialisation processes and which institutions are involved in that – family, education, peer groups, religion, media …
  • The role of racism and social exclusion in the formation and strengthening of ethnic identities.
  • What are the different sociological viewpoints on ethnic identities and their formation?
  • Review the studies and viewpoints we have looked at in class
  • How are ethnic identities changing?
  • In what ways are ethnic identities different today compared to 20 or 30 years ago?
  • How have changes in society had an impact upon ethnic identities?
    • Changes in occupational structure
    • Growth of postmodernism
    • Changes in technology
    • Changes to the family and other social institutions
    • Globalisation
  • In what ways have ethnic identities stayed the same?

The Formation of Ethnic Identities

Lightning symbol There are a range of different factors which affect the formation of ethnic identities, click here for more information and a PowerPoint show.

Changing Ethnic Identities

  • Patterson (1965) – expectation that assimilation of ethnic minorities would eventually occur.
    • Study of West Indian immigrants
    • Immigrant-Host model
  • BUT evidence that, while ethnic minorities have to some extent changed behaviours, they have not vanished.

Growth of multi-cultural society

  • Modood et al (1997) – study for the Policy Studies Institute, looked at changing ethnic identities
    • Asian identities –
      • changes for 2nd generation – religion, marriage
      • Identification in specific ethnic/religious terms
    • Black Identities
      • No single black identity
      • Influence of Caribbean cultural traditions
      • Change in importance of religious faith
      • Use of Patois
      • Range of descriptions but not “British”

Resistance

  • Gilroy (1997), Hebdige (1979) – use of ethnic identity as resistance to racism & dominant ideologies
  • Mercer (1995) – style as a political tool – hairstyles & dress

Mixing Identities

  • Tension between identities? – Ballard (1994) – idea is exaggerated – young Asians switch “codes” – cultural navigation
  • Shifting cultures & identities
  • Creation of hybrid identities
    • Back (1996) – council estates in South London, evidence of cultural “borrowing”
    • Back (1994) – global musical styles
    • Robins (1997) – role of globalisation in bringing the local to the global
  • BUT – Morley (1994) – interconnectedness of global cultures not new – legacy of colonialism
    • Hall (1992) – postmodern - fragmenting of ethnic identity – personal creation & choice

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