Unit 3 - Ethnicity

Race

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

Ethnicity

refers to a shared cultural heritage and way of life

Religion (faith)

is a subset of ethnicity

Italian Australians Background Sentence

A group studied this year was Italian Australians. There was one participant based in the Southern Suburbs of Melbourne whose family moved to Australia from Southern Italy in the 1950s.

Italian Australia - Ethnic Group Identity

- Food: used to “bring back all that tradition” such as “sauces for … pasta” and “their own salami”

- Religious holidays: Easter in the catholic church

Ethnicity over Race

Sociologists prefer the term ethnicity over race because the category of race is outdated, racist and limited in terms of information learnt about the cultural group being studied, which may lead to prejudice

Othering

is 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 prejudices against people and groups

Othering Stages

Identification of difference: Italians were marked out for “traditional things” such as food and Italian-language practices

Stereotyping: Media coverage focused on “crime, political corruption and scandal” (Italy in the Australian News Media, 2023), forming negative generalisations

Labelling: Italians were portrayed in “gangs” with “always negative” representation, attaching harmful labels

Marginalisation: Werribee school in the 1930s dismissed Italian students “10 minutes earlier” to let them shelter from the bullying, showing exclusion in education and community life

Experience of ethnicity

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

Cultural hybridity

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

Cultural hybridity and the experience of ethnicity - Benefits

• Individuals may experience a sense of pride and feelings of belonging

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

Cultural hybridity and the experience of ethnicity - Challenges

• 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

refers to the existence of multiple cultural groups in a specific geographic area

Comparative Methodology

refers to analysis involving the similarities and differences between cultures and across countries

Cultural diversity (CIA World Factbook 2025)

Australia - 6.4% net migration per 1000 people

Canada (Multicultural) - 5.4% net migration per 1000 people

Japan (Monoculture) - 0.7% net migration per 1000 people

Multiculturalism

refers to the practice of several different cultures coexisting peacefully and equitably in a single country

Historical Context

involves describing what Australia was like before the introduction of the multiculturalism policy

Contemporary Concept

refers to the practice of several different cultures co-existing peacefully and equitably in the single country, as well as the name given to a government policy which manages and maximises the benefits of cultural diversity

Historical Context Evidence

• White Australia Policy (1901) – limit non-British migration, want to maintain white population

• Assimilation Policy (late 1940s) aimed to make migrants conform with dominant white culture

• 1973 Minister for Immigration (Al Grassby) issued a reference paper called A Multi-Cultural Society for the Future

• 1975, the Whitlam PM referred to Australia as a “Multicultural nation”

Contemporary Concept - Purpose

• Emphasises the rights and benefits of living in a culturally diverse society

• Several different cultures co-existing peacefully and equitably

Preventers

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

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

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

Cultural Practices - Preventers

- Participant recalled her family making “sauces… salami… olives”, but as the “only ethnics in the town” she felt embarassed by her food as it made the othering and racism worse

- In the 1930s, a Werribee school dismissed Italian students “10 minutes earlier” to shelter from the bullying (Italians immigration to Australia) showing how prejudices restricted belonging and inclusion

Cultural Practices -Enablers

- Catholic traditions like Italian-language services at St Luke’s and the continuation of “teachings” - Participant “raised [her children] in going to church every Sunday.” strengthening family belonging across generations

- Italian music from the south, which “reminds me of my mum” and is also listened to by her children, helps preserve cultural identity and enhance inclusion in Australia

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

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

Media - Preventers

- Participant recalled media portrayal in the 70s/80s was “always negative” impacting belonging
- 2005-2012 study found coverage of Italy dominated by “crime, political corruption and scandal” (Italy in the Australian News Media, 2013), reinforcing stereotypes of Italians as “unstable or untrustworthy” 

Media - Enablers

- Fetch TV launced “50 World Channels” (Fetch, 2010) to foster awareness of diversity and help non-English speakers feel “included and valued”

- Italian newspapers like La Fiamma are a “vital link” overcoming language barriers and strengthening belonging 

Media Representation

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

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

Political Factors - Preventers

- Peter Dutton’s plan if elected in 2025 was to cut migration by 100,000 “straight away” (Dutton, 2025) to get young Australians into housing, which risks making Italian Australians and their families feel like outsiders.

- The White Australia Policy (1901) cast Italians as “undesirable,” causing job discrimination and cultural prejudice, with lingering impacts after its removal in the 1970s

Political Factors - Enablers

- Participant reflected on “laws against discrimination and racism” which help Italian Australians feel more included

- The National Anti-Racism Framework notes “racism diminishes a person’s sense of self” (Sivaraman, 2024) urging an anti-racism task force to enhance belonging through protection

Multicultural (Micro-definition)

(a society comprised of many cultures) Australia

Ethical Methodology

refers to the process used to conduct socially responsible research outlined by The Australian Sociological Association, including people who have agreed to take part, after being provided with information about the study, whose privacy is protected

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

refers to 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

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

Privacy

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

Confidentiality of data

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

Non-material Culture

refers to the intangible parts of culture that we cannot see, including language, values, norms and symbols

Non-Material Culture - Examples

Catholicism - 79.2% of Italians identify as Catholic; “teachings” are passed down through generations in Australia.
Language - Over 200,000 Australians speak Italian as a first language (Census,2021) maintaining cultural connection

Material Culture

refers to tangible aspects of culture; things that we can see and touch, including objects, places and living things that have meaning for a group

Material Culture - Examples

Passata Day - Annual tomato harvest tradition where families prepare handmade sauce, valued for “the tradition” (SBS,2013) ensuring a continuation of Italian food customs and strengths in Australia