Biculturalism amongst ethnic minorities: Its impact for individuals and intergroup relations

Abstract

This review article offers an integration of acculturation, biculturalism, and intergroup relations research. Additionally, it argues that bicultural identities can be more accurately conceptualised as a third, hyphenated cultural identity (e.g., Chinese‐Australian), in addition to one's ethnic and the dominant national identity. In doing so, this article proposes that hyphenated cultural identities may be personally meaningful for many ethnic minorities and discusses the function of hyphenated cultural identification for individuals and society. Given the relevance of bicultural identification, it is argued that recognising and understanding a hyphenated cultural identity is fundamental to ethnic minorities' wellbeing, as well as improving the quality of intergroup relations in multicultural societies, such as Australia.

Hybrid and Alternating Identity Styles as Strategies for Managing Multicultural Identities

“…Underpinned by globalization, cultural diversity is on the rise in many countries with cities such as New York, Singapore, and Auckland now considered “super-diverse” (International Organization for Migration, 2015; Vertovec, 2007). This unprecedented flux of movement of culturally diverse individuals affects societies, prompting increasing research on the realities of multiculturalism (e.g., Berry, 2013; Ng Tseung-Wong & Verkuyten, 2015; Noor & Leong, 2013; Sibley & Ward, 2013; Verkuyten, 2006), the implications of diversity ideologies (e.g., Rattan & Ambady, 2013; Rosenthal & Levy, 2010), and, importantly, individuals’ construals of their multiple social identities (e.g., Benet-Martínez & Haritatos, 2005; Chu, White, & Verrilli, 2017; West, Zhang, Yampolsky, & Sasaki, 2017). Indeed, in today’s world, there has never been a more pressing need to understand how, when, and why individuals acculturate and how they negotiate their everyday experiences in multicultural environments.…”

“…multiple social identities (e.g., Benet-Martínez & Haritatos, 2005;Chu, White, & Verrilli, 2017;West, Zhang, Yampolsky, & Sasaki, 2017). Indeed, in today's world, there has never been a more pressing need to understand how, when, and why individuals acculturate and how they negotiate their everyday experiences in multicultural environments.…”

“Let us define ourselves”: forced migrants’ use of multiple identities as a tactic for social navigation

“…They can face hazardous dangers and threats to one’s or their family members’ lives embodied by political persecution, religious intolerance, and pressure to join militias, sexual violence, etc. [ 2 ]. Earlier scholarship into migrant identity negotiation has examined the subject drawing on the experiences of people from diverse cultures, e.g.…”

“…It is well chronicled that cultural distance can lead others to misinterpret and misunderstand migrants’ motives for embracing, rejecting or juggling new identities [ 15 , 16 ]. For instance, previous research shows that when individuals of an ethnic minority or sub-group prefer a hyphenated cultural identity, it can sometimes be crucial for the dominant ethnic group to acknowledge this identity during intergroup interactions [ 2 ]. Since biculturalism ought to be a cultural asset for cohesive societies [ 17 ], it is, therefore, vital that ethnic minorities’ desired identities are accurately understood and recognised [ 2 ], especially amidst the challenges facing the integration of migrants in the host countries [ 18 ].…”

“…For instance, previous research shows that when individuals of an ethnic minority or sub-group prefer a hyphenated cultural identity, it can sometimes be crucial for the dominant ethnic group to acknowledge this identity during intergroup interactions [ 2 ]. Since biculturalism ought to be a cultural asset for cohesive societies [ 17 ], it is, therefore, vital that ethnic minorities’ desired identities are accurately understood and recognised [ 2 ], especially amidst the challenges facing the integration of migrants in the host countries [ 18 ]. Our work investigates the extent to which some forced migrants use identity for gain, for instance, to receive psychological and social benefits from articulating different socio-cultural and national identities in the host country.…”