Ethnic Identity Factors - Essay Example

Ethnic Identity Ethnic and racial identities are crucial parts of a framework of collective and individual identity. Ethnicity and racial identity manifestation are in a highly conscious ways, especially for the legally and visible defined minority population in the United States. Two conflicting cultural and social influences trigger this manifestation. To start with, profound conscious engagement into cultural values and traditions through neighborhood, familial, religious, and educational communities puts a positive sense of ethnic confidence and identity. On the other hand, and in contrast to the first social and cultural influences, through media messages and negative treatment, ethnicity identity must be wiped out. It is evident that people with minority status have a less than desirable ethnic make up. Through one’s beliefs, values, assumptions behaviors the Americans manifestation of racial and ethnic identity happens unconsciously (Liu, 106). Societal values, which are constructed around a certain ethnic and racial group gives certain people the ‘right’ to rule over others. What treatment is mostly identified in the media off white If someone would raise a question concerning your identity, how would one respond to that question? Many answers may pop out of the mouth to try explain oneself. With the aid of my grandfather, I managed to get answers to many questions, which I thought did not have answers. Through out this essay, I will discuss on different factors that have influenced the development of my ethnic identity. I will also look at the analysis and reflection on the intersection(s) between my ancestors and my social experiences, which include; racial identity issues, education at home and school, gender experiences, and the broader themes covered in the course readings and lectures. There are many difficulties to frame and define race and ethnicity because of the complexity of race and ethnicity in the United States. The research made have not consistent in ethnic identity is the identification with a certain ethnicity. This identification is normally common genealogy or ancestry. In particular, racial identity concept has been contested and misunderstood. Some of the meanings have been obtained from the social dimension and the biological dimensions. Most young people today undergo many difficulties due to the complexity of the world that they live in. All these challenges are faced by the young generation from ethnic minority groups in United States, for example, Chinese (Soto et al, 159). The ethnic minority view themselves as people with low status and power in the society. For instance, the Chinese have held their values differently from other ethnic groups even though they belong to a smaller society in the United States Chinese livings in the United States are making decisions about how to live with the other ethnic groups in America, and have so far managed to live peacefully. This has been brought about by them understanding the meaning and implications of these differences. This has also resulted to additional identity tasks. My own context as a student has strongly influenced by ethnic identity. I live in California, which is one of the most ethnically region in the United States. In this state, the Chinese are in the minority, and this makes other ethnic children dominate all the schools. My learning school is one of the largest ethnically distinct in the United States. In this learning institution there are students from all ethnic groups. These include Asian or Asian American, Caucasian; European America and middle Eastern, Hispanic/Latino, and African American. Generally, ethnic identity is a complex multidimensional phenomenon across all disciplines and is also an example of collective identity. It gives ideas to some elements responsible for the construction of individual evaluation, and the different attitudes that individuals have been they positive or negative. It also considers the significance of belonging to a particular group in defining the identity of a person. The way in which individuals categorize themselves and also how they develop attachment toward one another is also another important element of ethnic identity. Other aspects that define members with a similar ethnic identity are their involvement in emotional and behavior. Chinese is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in America. Studying their empirical literature on emotion is critical. In Chinese culture, for example, emotions are carefully regulated to avoid disruption of other ethnic groups. Emotion is an interpretation of physiological response to social events. The Chinese view emotions and expressions that have not been restrained as problematic and possible threat to their people and other ethnic groups that surrounds them. These views are based on traditional Chinese values. The expression and emotion of the Chinese is regarded as trivial, and how they express their emotions and express their feelings is not considered as a problem in any sense (Quan & Ren, 733). One feature about Chinese is that, in the event that needs to reveal their sentiments they are never ashamed. It is okay to express ones emotions as long as they have no solid effect on social order or political grounds, and personal ties. The Chinese people residing in the United States bring no predicament with any members of their ethnic group who expresses anger as long as the anger remain a feeling and is not translated into opinion. There has been some contradicting information regarding emotion suppression by Chinese (Bond, 260). On the other hand, it is essential to record that there is no visible link between behavior of a person and emotions of that person. Therefore, when experiencing irrational and extreme emotions one does not need to be worried or ashamed. The Chinese tend to take their emotions in proportions because they do not like to sharing their inner most emotions seriously with others people. As a result, the Chinese people easily contain their emotions and feel less guilt as compared to other ethnic groups living America and other places around the globe. These features reduce the number of conflicts among the Chinese and ethnic communities that surround them. There are many reasons a name becomes a crucial identity for many people. They believe that a name can contribute power, authority, allegiances, and other unique values. In many African countries, such as Ghana and Nigeria or Asian countries such as China, the naming ceremony for a newborn baby is truly distinct for the child and family. The entire society may become involved in celebrating it. People believe a name will bring the prestigious culture values to the child who agrees to him or her to fit in properly in the ethnic group. A name can serve a variety of purposes. Names allow many people to connect with their important cultural heritages, and facilitate assimilation in the society; yet for some people, social political pressures can complicate naming. Concept of ‘ethno linguistic vitality’, also used the intrinsic connection between ethnicity and language. Ethno linguistic vitality determines the behavior of group members, how they interact with other members, and how they interact with other groups.. If the vitality of an ethnic group is relatively high, its members will be more likely to act in a way that distinguishes them from others, that is, eat ethnic food, dance traditional dances, and use their ethnic language. In this case, an ethno linguistic group is more likely to survive. On the other hand, a low vitality is an indication of lacking interest within the group in retaining its distinct identity and may cause the group’s eventual demise. Ethno linguistic vitality theory also takes into consideration the status of the ethnic language: the higher it is the better chances the whole group has for its survival. For example, ethno linguistic vitality of Greek Diaspora all over the world can be explained, to a large extend, by “a belief in the uniqueness of Greek culture and the authenticity of the language” as the language of Bible and church, ancient literature, and science, just to name a few. Thus, there have been a number of studies proving the importance of language to the preservation of ethnic minority’s identity. Therefore, language is considered an essential part of ethnicity. However, if one considers ethnicity as a sense of belonging to a particular national group, common language seems to be less significant. As noted, a number of distinctively different ethnic groups use the same language. The case of English is probably the most notable. It is the mother tongue of Approximately 375 million people. However, more than likely ethnicities, which have English as a mother tongue; fail to look at themselves equal to other nations that speak English. According to 2006 Canada Census, almost six million people claimed Canadian ethnicity as their sole ethnic origin, and 10 more million mentioned ‘Canadian’ in their multiple responses. However, almost 18 million Canadians named English their mother tongue (Statistics Canada, 2006). Therefore, for people who call themselves Canadians it might simply mean that they take part in the common ‘Canadian culture’, of which language is a part, but not an essential one. This assumption is in support of the research carried out in the border region of Italy, Austria, and Slovenia where linguistic landscape is much more varied than the ethnic one. The same situation can be observed in other multilingual states built on immigration, such as USA and Australia, where censuses show an increase in numbers of those who report national ethnicity. The Chinese gain a group and social identity by their affiliation. They do this by gaining membership from various groups. These groups are ethnic, family, friendship, dating religion, education, and educational status. Of all the above affiliation groups, family is the most valuable affiliation regardless of whether they are extended, biological, or even adoptive family. The interactions between an individual and the family members have vast influence on ethnic identity. The environment and the people surrounding the Chinese ethnic group in America have influenced the Chinese ethnic identity (Van et al, 276). To some extent, the Chinese families fail to have a family integration hence leading to identity diffusion. Identity diffusion is a state where an individual has no commitment and does not try to make any commitments. Whether the influence is good or bad, it is essential to note that a family has influence on an individual. A peer relation is another issue that has influenced the ethnic identity of Chinese families in the United States, especially the youth. Through common themes between friends, the youths are actively constructing their own identity. The identity formation is further influenced when the Chinese youths engage in a common theme of conversation with close peers from other ethnic groups. Four influences on the Chinese identity formation stand out to be highly valuable. These include scholastic influences, parenting influences, cognitive influences, and socio-cultural influences. The scholastic influence views that the Chinese youths who have a post-secondary education seem to make stable occupational commitments and more concrete goals. Therefore, identity formation is influenced in a positive way when the Chinese youths go to college or university. Parenting is another key element that affects Identity of a person. The relationship that Chinese youth has with their parents plays an essential part in identity formation. The freedom to explore identity options for the Chinese youths and other youths from other ethnic groups is realized when there is a positive and solid relationship between them and their parents (Van et al, 283). Involvements of Chinese parents in school monitoring, social monitoring, and support leads to influence of identity formation in a positive way. Identity formation is impacted by cognitive development. Exploration and identification of possible identities is easier when the Chinese youths think and reason more logically. More cognitively youths tend to resolve their identity problems better than less cognitive youths. In order for the Chinese ethnic group living in America to realize their goals, need to have a solid identity should be emphasized. The Chinese youths in the past would adapt to religious beliefs and adapt to jobs that their parents want them to do. These changes have been brought about by socio-cultural influences. Availability of recourses to explore identity choices are the key reason regarding why the Chinese youths living in America are changing from their culture and religious beliefs. More of the Chinese cultures are becoming less recognized in America and becoming unpopular hence majority of the Chinese youths do not want to be associated with them. The Chinese youths living in America are under pressure to change their identity standing with a need to belong. In order for them to fit in, they tend to mimic what the American youths do and say. The Chinese youths pretend that do not know their native language. When to come to places of work, there is greater awareness of ethnicity. Despite that one may consider him or herself as an American professional, the other workmates will use all means necessary to bring awareness to that person who he or she is Chinese. Workmate tends to have stereotypical views concerning the Chinese. It is hard for a Chinese worker to try to prove to other workmates that whatever they think of him or her is not true or there is some level of exaggeration to some point. In conclusion, as the quest to realize ones identity and ethnicity continue, it is essential to note that there are other ethnic groups that are also struggling in the same identity process. For example, for the minority Chinese ethnic group in America, they need to know that other people are going through the same transition; therefore, they should not feel out of place. They should accept the situation as it is and immerse themselves in the diversity around them. However, as they do this they should try to avoid assimilation by the western culture, thus forgetting their own. Commitment and exploration involvement is important in ethnic identity formation. Therefore, for one to realize his true identity, emphasis on exploring other people’s ethnic groups is important. Works Cited Bond, Michael Harris. "Emotions and Their Expression in Chinese Culture."Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 17.4 (1993): 245-262. Print. Liu, Haiming. "The Identity Formation Of American-Born Chinese In The 1930s: A Review Of Lei Jieqiong's (Kit King Louis) Master's Thesis." Journal of Chinese Overseas 3.1 (2007): 97-121. Print. Quan, Changqin, and Fuji Ren. "A Blog Emotion Corpus for Emotional Expression Analysis In Chinese." Computer Speech and Language 24.4 (2010): 726-749. Print. Soto, Jose A., Robert W. Levenson, and Rachel Ebling. "Cultures Of Moderation And Expression: Emotional Experience, Behavior, And Physiology In Chinese Americans And Mexican Americans.."Emotion 5.2 (2005): 154-165. Print. Van Hoof, Anne, and Quinten A. W. Raaijmakers. "The Search for the Structure Of Identity Formation." Identity3.3 (2003): 271-289. Print. Read More