Situation and Ethnic Identity
| Date | 01 October 1988 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2435.1988.tb00664.x |
| Published date | 01 October 1988 |
| Author | M. Similä |
Situation and Ethnic Identity
M. SIMILA*
The identity concept seems
to
imply an assumption of stability. We do not change
our
identity
as
easily as we change clothes. We may shift between different roles many times a
day, but
our
identity is assumed to be the same. As
our
identity is formed in interaction
with significant others, it will of course change over time. But it still seems valid to
presume a
relative
stability which precludes short term fluctuations.
The aim of the paper is to illustrate situational variation as regards ethnic
identification and to develop some ideas about identity formation and the expression of
ethnic identity in multiple ethnic contexts.
ETHNIC IDENTITY
Ethnic identity has been treated within different fields of science and on different levels.
Here
I
will discuss the
social
(ethnic) identity, that is, an identity based on belonging to
certain groups. Further,
I
will discuss
subjective
social identity, that is,
self-definitions.
THE SITUATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON ETHNIC IDENTITY
A purely situational perspective emphasizes present circumstances rather than earlier
experiences. Man is perceived as a basically rational creature who attempts to solve the
problems that arise. Thus, in the situational perspective, one tries to identify strategic
fields where a person makes important decisions that will affect his identity.
We will begin by showing how expressions of ethnic origin and identification vary with
changes in a number of hypothetical situational settings. However, our interpretation is
not completely in line with the situational perspective. Instead, we want to explain the
results in terms of
a
combination
of
the present and thepast,
and, more precisely, suggest
that situational variation may result from a multiple identity structure.
THE MATERIAL
The material consists of interview data from a randomly selected sample of young Turks
and Yugoslavs in Stockholm. We interviewed
1
10
Turks and 114 Yugoslavs aged 16-24
years.
*
Center for Research in International Migration and Ethnic Relations, Stockholm (Sweden).
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