Unit 3 AoS 2 - Ethnicity

Race

the categorisation of a group of people based on physical characteristics such as skin colour, eye shape, hair type and bone structure

Ethnicity

a shared cultural heritage and way of life

Characteristics of Ethnic Identity

• language

• customs

• food

• clothing

• ancestry

• belief system

• history

Othering

a phenomenon in which some individuals or groups are defined and labelled as not fitting in within the norms of a social group; it plays a role in the formation of prejudice against people and groups

Experience of Ethnicity

how people feel and interact with a group/s that they are a member, including their sense of belonging and inclusion

Cultural Hybridity

A theory as informed by Stuart Hall, that describes the sense of ethnic diversity seen in dual or multiple ethnic identities

Stuart Hall’s Theory of Cultural Hybridity

• Stuart Hall’s theory attempts to describe the complex process of negotiating and renegotiating cultural differences

• Hall sought to highlight that ethnic identities are not fixed but are instead constantly in flux and shaped by historical and cultural factors

Benefits: Cultural Hybridity and the Experience of Ethnicity

• individuals may experience a sense of pride and feeling of belonging

• individuals often can choose which features of their ethnicities to keep and celebrate

Challenges: Cultural Hybridity and the Experience of Ethnicity

• people may feel ‘split’ between cultures

• they may feel that they don’t fully belong to a specific culture

• people may experience discrimination based on their customs and traditions

Ethnic Diversity

The existence of multiple cultural groups in a specific geographic area

Australia’s Ethnic Diversity

• almost half have at least one parent born overseas (48.2%) and almost a quarter (24.8%) speak a language other than English at home

• just over a quarter (27.6%) report being born overseas with the top being England then India

  (ABS Census, 2021)

Australia: Net Migration Rate

6.4 migrants per 1,000 population (CIA Word Factbook, 2025)

Australia: Languages in addition to English

• Mandarin 2.7%

• Arabic 1.4%

• Vietnamese 1.3%

  (ABS Census, 2021)

Australia: Religions

• no religion 38.9%

• Catholic 20%

• Anglican (9.8%)

• Islam (3.2%)

• Hinduism (2.7%)

  (ABS Census, 2021)

Canada: Ethnic Groups

• English 14.7%

• French 11%

• Indian 3.7%

  (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Canada: Religions

• Christian 53.3%

• Muslim 4.9%

• Hindu 2.3%

  (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Canada: Languages

• English (official) 87.1%

• French (official) 29.1%

• Arabic 2.4%

  (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Canada: Net Migration Rate

5.4 per 1,000 population (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Japan: Ethnic groups

• Japanese 95.5%

• Monocultural/homogenous country

  (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Japan: Languages

Japanese

Japan: Religions

• Shintoism 48.6%

• Buddhism 46.4%

  (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Japan: Net Migration Rate

0.7 migrants per 1,000 population (CIA World Factbook, 2025)

Comparative Perspective Methodology

analysis involving the similarities and differences in experiences between cultures and across countries

Preventers

refer to factors that limit, obstruct or make it difficult for an individual or group to feel safe and included in multicultural Australia

Enablers

refer to factors that encourage, promote or make it possible for an individual or group to feel safe and included in multicultural society

Belonging

refers to the emotional experience of feeling secure and supported within a group. It includes the feelings of acceptance and inclusion amongst members of a particular society

Inclusion

refers to individuals and groups having the resources, opportunities and capabilities to learn, work, engage and have a voice in society

Multicultural (micro definition)

a society comprised of many cultures

Cultural Practices

refer to the customs and traditions that are unique to a certain ethnic group. They could include religious practices, traditional beliefs, forms of art, dietary habits and aspects of family life

Customs

include participating in festivals, maintaining more than one language, religious practices and eating unique food

Traditions

are cultural practices that occurs regularly across time

Media Representation

refers to the form and nature of the depiction of an ethnic group

Media

refers to the various forms of communication used to transmit information, entertainment or ideas to a large audience: print, digital or electronic

Political Factors

refer to the aspects of the structure, organisation and policies of a government or political system that can influence society and individual behaviour

Ethical Methodology

the process used to conduct socially responsible research, including people who have agreed to take part, after being provide with information about the study, whose privacy is protected

• The guidelines are outlined by the Australian Sociological Association (TASA)

Purpose of Ethical Methodology

• Participants are treated with respect

• Putting methods in place to prevent harm to participants

• Ensuring participants are aware of their rights including voluntary participation and withdrawal rights

• Results are reported honestly to ensure no harm is caused to participants

Voluntary Participation

the willing involvement of research participants, including the awareness of their right to refuse to participate in a research project without having to give a reason or justify their decision

Informed Consent

the formal agreement of an individual to participate in a research project

Privacy

the use of methods, such as disguising personal identities in written and oral reports of the research, to protect the identity of participants

• No information should be released that an individual sees as private such as using the real name or address of a person being studied

Confidentiality of Data

protecting the data gathered from research participants and storing it carefully and securely

• Researchers need to ensure they store data confidentially, such as in a password protected document, until it is no longer needed