School composition and multiple ethnic identities of migrant-origin adolescents in the Netherlands

Ethnic identity is central to many contemporary discussions of belonging and assimilation of migrant-origin youth. Studies typically focus on a single minority identity. Identity theory implies, however, that individuals may hold multiple ethnic identities, or none, and these may find expression to a greater or less extent depending on context. Using a nationally representative, longitudinal study of Dutch teenagers, we investigate the role of classroom ethnic composition in shaping multiple ethnic identity expression. Framing identity choices as a relational process, we show that the number o... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Veerman, Gert-Jan
Platt, Lucinda
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2021
Schlagwörter: HT Communities. Classes. Races / HQ The family. Marriage. Woman / LB Theory and practice of education
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-27589323
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
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Link(s) : http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/108607/

Ethnic identity is central to many contemporary discussions of belonging and assimilation of migrant-origin youth. Studies typically focus on a single minority identity. Identity theory implies, however, that individuals may hold multiple ethnic identities, or none, and these may find expression to a greater or less extent depending on context. Using a nationally representative, longitudinal study of Dutch teenagers, we investigate the role of classroom ethnic composition in shaping multiple ethnic identity expression. Framing identity choices as a relational process, we show that the number of ethnic identities that children with a migrant-origin background choose is greater for those students who are exposed to a more ethnically diverse context, while less diverse classrooms foster ethnic identification with no or fewer minority groups. Classification of migrant-origin students with a single (minority) ethnicity may thus be an oversimplification of ethnic identity, even for those from a single country of origin.