Previous discursive research on ethnic identity has suggested the complex and multifaceted nature of accomplishing membership in an ethnic group. In this paper, we explore how ethnic identity claims may be used as a resource in accounting for behavior seen as open to the group, namely a planned migration to one's ancestral homeland. A discursive psychological approach is used to analyze focus group data with potential ethnic return migrants, specifically, adults with Finnish roots who intend to migrate to Finland. Ethnic identity was accomplished in subtle ways by drawing on one's roots and a familiarity with Finnish culture, as well as by accomplishing a preference for Finland. Working up Finnish ethnic identity in these ways allowed participants to account for the planned migration, which was typically constructed as a natural, inevitable and/or long-and highly-desired action. The findings highlight the importance of considering the social action of ethnic identity talk, particularly in light of previous studies that have found ethnic return migrants' pre-migration ethnic identities to be pronounced.
This study examines the ethnic identity experiences of second-generation Finnish immigrant youth in Canada. The study draws from interviews conducted among second-generation Finnish immigrant youth in Ottawa. How these individuals identify with the Finnish ethnic group and engage in ethnic culture may play a pivotal role in the continuance of Finnish culture in Canada. Therefore, it is necessary to understand not only whether second-generation Finnish immigrants identify with their ethnic group, but also how they do so. We found that the youth identified with their Finnish ethnicity on a symbolic level, participating occasionally in the local ethnic community, but not living within ethnic culture on a day-to-day basis. They identify strongly with being Canadian and have an appreciation of multiculturalism and contrast it with Finnish society when they visit Finland. Cette étude vise à explorer les expériences d'identité ethnique telles que vécues par les immigrants finlandais de deuxième génération au Canada. La manière selon laquelle ils s'identifient au groupe ethnique finnois et participent à sa culture peut jouer un rôle central dans la perpétuation de la culture finnoise au Canada. Il est donc essentiel de comprendre non seulement si les immigrants finnois de deuxième génération s'identifient à leur groupe ethnique, mais aussi comment ils le font. Selon nos résultats, l'identité ethnique finnoise chez les jeunes est d'ordre symbolique, dans la mesure où ils participent occasionnellement aux activités de leur communauté locale, mais n'intègrent pas leur culture ethnique à leur quotidien. Par ailleurs, ils s'identifient fortement comme Canadiens, apprécient le multiculturalisme et l'opposent à la société finlandaise lorsqu'ils vont en Finlande.
In this article, we take a discursive psychological approach to study how ethnic return migrants discuss and account for episodes of discrimination, with a special focus on discursive strategies employed to deal with discrimination. The data come from nine focus group discussions held with ethnic Finnish migrants who have moved to Finland in adulthood from Russia, Canada, or the United States. Results of the analysis show two distinct ways of dealing with discrimination: problematising discrimination and downplaying discrimination. Problematising was accomplished by showing the critical difference between being categorised as Finnish or non-Finnish and challenging the criteria of Finnishness. Strategies of downplaying included normalising discrimination and emphasising positive experiences. The findings are discussed in relation to ethnic return migrants' identity work and belonging to broader society.The vast majority of discursive psychological research on prejudice and racism has focused on how unequal relations and treatment of minority groups are maintained and legitimised by majority members through specific discursive strategies (see, e.g.,
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