This research project aims to argue that the notions of ethnic identity, ethnic group and ethnicity should be thought of as socially constructed. In order to strengthen the above assumption, fieldwork was undertaken by examining African Mozambicans' narratives of immigration and identity, and acculturation strategies in Portugal and in England. The reading of the data suggests that individuals' perceptions of their identity and of the social world change over time, and in accordance with the social structures in which their lives are imbued. In addition, it is certain that social actors use discourse as a narrative form to justify and legitimise their identity options, and acculturative strategies. Taking into consideration the analysis of fieldwork material, it is possible to conclude, on the one hand, that the notions of ethnic identity, ethnic group and ethnicity are socially constructed, on the other hand, that the term ethnicity should be addressed as a detached human experience from the terms of ethnic identity and ethnic group.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:404691 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Khan, Sheila |
| Publisher | University of Warwick |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/40521/ |
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