Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003 / Pacific Islands Studies

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2009 / Pacific Islands Studies

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The main purpose of this study was to explore how second-generation young adults with foreign background understand their ethnic identities and how they relate to their national identities. Semi-structured interviews with 7 second-generation young adults with foreign background were conducted. The basis for our analysis was social identity theory, identity theory and previous research. As the result shows, the participants in this study had developed an understanding of their ethnic identities in relation to their national identities based on influential factors. The influential factors that elicited these understandings of their ethnic identities in relation to their national identities were: influential people and cultural influences. On the basis of these influential factors, it had become easier for some participants to identify themselves more with their ethnic identities. However, for other participants, the understanding of their ethnic identities did not influence their feelings of belongingness to the host society, which means they have considered themselves to belong to both their ethnic and national identities. For those participants who could not identify themselves with both their ethnic identities and relate to their national identities chose to identify themselves with something else, which in this case religion.

This thesis explores the new self-narratives which are currently being created by young alteños with experience of living and/or working on the streets. These young people are projecting their visions for the future and challenging their marginal status by going back to their roots, looking to the history, myths, legends and practices of their ancestors for inspiration. They are constantly affirming and reaffirming their connections both to the older generations and to Pachamama (Mother Earth). These connections, rather than being threatened by the urbanity of their present existence, are actually enhanced by it. Specifically, this thesis addresses the creativity employed by young alteños as they make a claim to modernity through working as shoe-shiners, conducting rituals such as the ch'alla to Pachamama, participating in festivals to create collectivity and belonging, and politicising indigenous culture in hip-hop at La Casa Juvenil de las Culturas Wayna Tambo in El Alto. This thesis explores the hopes and ambitions of young alteños; the ways they conceive of the future. Whilst it is true that the Presidency of Evo Morales has acted as a catalyst in the processes of re-evaluation of indigenous culture currently underway in Bolivia, this thesis proposes that, in the case of young people in El Alto, they do not merely accept his authority, but are constantly questioning, challenging and - where necessary - opposing, the changes introduced. Therefore, this thesis investigates the ways in which young alteños navigate and re-imagine categories of “indigeneity,” “authenticity” and “modernity” - how they affect and are affected by them in their everyday lives. It asks what it means to be young and Aymara today, in El Alto, and argues that there is no contradiction being both 'Aymara' and 'Street.' In using a youth-centred methodology, this thesis aims to give a direct voice to these young people and weight to their claims as agents of change in contemporary Bolivia.

Since the collapse of the USSR independent Ukraine has used politics and culture to define a separate national identity, in contrast to Russia. Through a performance studies lens I describe Kyiv's largest souvenir market, Andriyivsky Uzviz, and place it in the context of nationalism and cultural promotion. I draw on Conquergood who situates the performing of culture at the intersection of history and identity, and Kapchan who notes that markets are key sites where ethnic identity is defined within sociopolitical frameworks. While profit and customer demand are important to vendors in the Uzviz, Ukrainianness is consciously emphasized through their folk art items. Vendors wear national costume, sell "traditional" Ukrainian items, and explicitly identify as Ukrainian, not Russian. Through one Uzviz folk artist I illustrate vendors' use of folk arts to express Ukrainian cultural identity and show how the market is a microcosm of the larger nationalist movement in Ukraine.

Ethnic identity is an important aspect of individuals’ sense of self. For individuals identified as ethnic minorities, ethnic identity has been found to be a potential protective factor for overall well-being. Multiracials (i.e., individuals identified with two or more races) are one of the fastest growing minority populations in the United States. Limited research examining multiracials’ ethnic identity development currently exists. Furthermore, there is a paucity of ethnic identity literature examining longitudinal ethnic identity growth from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Ethnic minority adolescents, such as multiracials, and emerging adults are often at higher risk for lower psychological well-being and higher substance use. Therefore, understanding developmental trajectories and factors that contribute to ethnic identity development allows for clinicians to work with ethnic minority individuals in ways that are empowering and facilitate success. The current study utilizes Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to examine longitudinal growth trajectories of ethnic identity among multiracial and monoracial groups (White, Black, Latino/a, and Other [includes Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Other]). HLM was also used to examine the relationships between social factors (i.e., experiences of discrimination, teasing by peers, and bullying) and school contextual factors (i.e., school climate, school safety, and perception of teachers) factors in the development of ethnic identity over time. The present study drew from an ethnically diverse sample of individuals living in the Pacific Northwest who were assessed each year from grade 6 to 9 and once during emerging adulthood (N = 593). Results indicated small linear increases of ethnic identity over time. In general, ethnic identity increased from Grades 6 through 8, decreased from Grade 8 to 9, and increased again from Grade 9 to emerging adulthood. Multiracials’ ethnic identity growth, however, did not differ from the identity growth of individuals within monoracial groups. Negative peer interactions significantly contributed to decreases in ethnic identity scores for individuals from Grade 8 to 9. School context did not significantly contribute to changes in ethnic identity growth. Findings suggest that individuals’ ethnic identity changes over time, and is significantly impacted by peer interactions.

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abstract: Ethnic enclaves, or neighborhoods with high ethnic densities, have been linked with positive health outcomes and lower crime rates. Using data from the Pathways to Desistance project, this study tested whether neighborhood Latino concentration prospectively predicted re-offense rates among a sample of Mexican American juvenile offenders (n = 247). Further, I tested whether the effect of neighborhood Latino concentration on re-offense was moderated by ethnic identity, Mexican orientation, and generation status. Covariates included demographics and risk factors for offending. Results showed that neighborhood Latino concentration, ethnic identity, Mexican orientation, and generation status were not predictive of re-offense rates. Gender, risk for offending, and time spent supervised during the follow-up period predicted re-offense rates one year later. The results highlight the importance of risk assessment for this high risk group. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2018

Magister Artium - MA / In this study the theatre as staged performance and as text was used as exploratory and discursive tools to investigate the negotiation of identities. The aim was to explore this theme by examining the responses to four popular Coloured identity-related staged performances; Marc Lottering's "Crash" and "From the Cape Flats with Love", as well as Petersen, Isaacs and Reisenhoffer's "Joe Barber" and "Suip". These works, both as performance and as text, was used to investigate the way stereotypical representations of Coloured identities are played with, subverted or negotiated in performance. / South Africa