Ethnicity

• Ethnicity


  Not the same as race or skin colour
• Ethnicity


  Defines those individuals who share common characteristics which set them apart from other groups in a society
• Ethnicity


  Mason defines ethnicity as some sort of cultural distinctiveness revolving around the belief that descent or origins and traditions are shared
• Distinctive ethnic characteristics


  • Common descent
  • Geographical origin
  • Language
  • Religion
  • Traditions and rituals
  • Racism
  • History
• Ethnic minorities may experience


  Religious prejudice and discrimination, racism
• Socialisation


  Ballard and Ballard say that family teaches culture, traditions, food, language, dress, recreation, marriage
• Asian families 


  Ghumann says children should be obedient, Parents know best, Parents should choose spouse, Religion is important
• Song argued that Chinese families put emphasis on the family business, are very pro-education and have very strong family connections
• Johan argues that some second and third generation British Asians adopt a dual identity - an Asian identity and a white one
• Schools


  • Can shape ethnic identity through the negative experience of racist attitudes towards minority students
  • Education system has been Anglocentric
  • Wright studied teachers' assumptions and low expectations of Afro-Caribbean students
  • Mac and Ghaill found some teachers held racist attitudes
  • Sewell found that black identities were reinforced as young black students coped with teacher stereotypes by forming peer groups
• Peer groups


  • Sewell argued that peer group pressure is extremely influential in shaping ethnic identity
  • Sewell argues that in an attempt to resist racism it leads to a focus on being hyper-masculine for African-Caribbean males
  • Jacobson argues that many young Pakistanis are adopting an Islamic identity. She suggests that this is a defensive identity that has developed in response to racism
  • However, Back found the emergence of new identities among peer groups based upon cultural borrowing
• Mass media


  • Helps geographically dispersed communities keep in touch with cultures
  • Sewell found that many aspects of the macho black identity of young African Caribbeans were derived from the mass media
• Religion


  • An important socialising agent in minority ethnic communities
  • Modood notes that the centrality of religion in Asian communities shapes identity
• Islamic identity is reactive-resistant and a reaction to being excluded by white society
• Butler found that British Asians, while retaining Islam, also adopt some Western ideas about education and careers
• Changing Ethnic identities


  • Hall suggests that ethnic identities are becoming harder to identify due to globalisation and diasporas
  • Cultures may be beginning to lose their separate identities as ethnic minority cultures become integrated into mainstream culture
• Diaspora


  A dispersed ethnic population adopts local culture while retaining links to their homeland
• Johan argued that there is evidence of the emergence of two new ethnic identities are emerging, such as British Asians and Brasians
• Johal argues that British Asians adopt whichever identity is appropriate for the context - a white mask
• Brasian


  A single new hybrid identity which blends both British and Asian cultures. Pick n mix between cultures
• Butler found that young Muslim women are attempting to mould a new identity with more independence
• Islamic fundamentalism


  A return to the literal meaning of religious texts
• Media reporting of the activities of a tiny minority of Muslims has formed a basis for the stereotyping of all Muslims
• As a result of the media, the identity of Muslim has become a stigmatized identity
• National identity


  The feeling of being part of a larger community in the form of a nation, which gives a sense of purpose
• Nationality


  A formal legal category, linked to belonging to a nation state
• Themes that created a sense of British identity- Guibernau and Goldblatt


  • Geography - an island with clear boundaries, distinct from Europe
  • Religion - Protestantism as the dominant religious identity
  • Wars - us vs them
  • British Empire - Britain's success as an imperial power brought economic success and a sense of pride and achievement
  • Monarchy - cultural symbols of GB
• Socialisation of national identity


  • Family - we learn the language of our nation, traditions, food, flags
  • Education - taught the history, literature, religion which promotes national identity
  • Media - national rituals and sporting events are broadcast, media portrays the royal family as celebrities
  • Religion - rituals such as Remembrance Sunday, royal funerals
• Waters suggests that British identity may be under threat due to: Celtic identity, globalisation, multiculturalism, more people identifying as English rather than British
• Common descent 


  Could be represented by colour or other racial characteristics
• Geographical origin


  Country of origin
• History 


  Members of a minority ethnic group may share a sense of struggle
• Language


  May speak the language of origin
• religion


  Most important influence for some minority ethnic groups
• Traditions and rituals


  May be religious or cultural
• Racism

  Prejudice and discrimination may be experienced