Identity and Belonging Among Chinese Australians

ISBN-13: 9783031478611 / Angielski / Twarda / 2023

Jennifer Martin;Dharma Arunachalam;Helen Forbes-Mewett

Opis

This book describes the ethnic identity construction involved in ‘being’, ‘feeling’ and ‘doing’ Chinese for multi-generation Australian-born Chinese, who were born and raised in a different social environment. It demonstrates how Chineseness is manifested in a multitude of ways and totally debunks any notion that being Chinese is a simple identity marker. The book shows that while there are commonalities with the American-born, the experiences of Australia-born Chinese are distinct in many ways.

This book is a timely and critically examination of the inescapability of Chineseness particularly when social and economic stability is threatened and those in power are looking for a scapegoat.

Spis treści

Chapter 1 - Introduction

1.1 Background to this study

1.2 Construction of Chinese Identity

1.3 Positioning Australian born Chinese in Global Context

1.4 Study participants

 1.5 The scope and limitations of the book

Chapter 2 - White Australia: Nationalism and National Identity

2.1 Nationalism and national identity

2.2 How ‘white’ is Australia? – The racialisation of Australian national identity

2.3 What is Australia’s national identity?

2.4 Multiculturalism: Friend or foe?

2.5 Concluding remarks

Chapter 3 - Race and Ethnicity in Identity

3.1 Introduction

3.2 The racialisation of identity

3.2.1 Schoolyard Memories

3.2.2  ‘Us’ versus ‘Them’

3.2.3 Objectification and Stigma

3.2.4 Stereotypes

3.2.5 Being the ‘Other’

3.3 The family as a reinforcer of difference

3.3.1 Internalising and normalising racism within the family

3.3.2 Fostering  Chineseness

3.3.3 Embracing Chineseness

3.3.4 Importance of filial and social support

3.4 Discussion

Chapter 4 - Language and Ethnic Identity

4.1 Language as a marker of identity

4.1.1 “It doesn’t matter what language you speak”

4.1.2 “You’re Chinese in your heart”

4.2 Family dynamics and language use

4.2.1 “We would reply in English to our parents”

4.2.2 “Chinese is what keeps me really connected with my parents”

4.2.3 “Me and my Dad don’t really have conversations”

4.3 Social acceptability of parental languages

4.4 Discussion

Chapter 5 - Performing Chineseness

5.1 You are what you eat

5.2 Chinese Community Associations as centres of Chineseness

5.3 Chinese New Year and doing Chinese

5.4 Marrying Chinese

5.5 Educational achievement

5.6 Going home

5.7 Discussion

Chapter 6 - Conclusion

6.1 Overview

6.2 Phenotype and identity

6.3 To speak or not to speak Chinese

6.4 The enactment of Chineseness

References

O autorze

Jennifer Martin, Research Affiliate, School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Australia. Jennifer is a second-generation Chinese Australian and has extensive experience in the education and public and community sectors and an advocate for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities.

Dharma Arunachalam, Professor of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Australia. He was the director of Centre for Population and Urban Research and is a portfolio leader at the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre. His current main areas of research are culture, society and family formation in India and Australia and migration, identity and social cohesion in Australia.

Helen Forbes-Mewett, Associate Professor of Sociology, School of Social Sciences, Monash University, Australia. She is the editor of the Journal of Sociology, the official journal of the Australian Sociological Association and has published several books on among others crime, security and vulnerability.