The study is focused on understanding identity construction through combining my own experience with the theoretical underpinnings of postcolonial theory, social identity theory and through the examination of two films. The central question that I am interested in is understanding the identity construction and formation process especially as it relates to individuals who have crossed borders and immigrated or moved to countries other than their home countries. The methodology I am employing is auto-ethnography; I am integrating this by using two films as sites of inquiry. Through this introspective, reflection combined with the theoretical framework of identity I uncover themes of identity. These themes include nation, foreignness, community, and home.
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.
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