1 Living at the crossroads of cultural worlds The experience of normative conflict by second generation youth Benjamin Giguère & Richard N. Lalonde Department of Psychology York University, Toronto, Canada Benjamin Giguère & Richard N. Lalonde Department of Psychology York University, Toronto, Canada

2 Who Are 2 nd -Genertation Youth? Statistics Canada estimates about 4 million in 2006 (16%) Young adults Living in large urban centres About half of European descent Of those who are also part of a visible minority group the vast majority are of Eastern descent (e.g., South Asia) Trends increasing towards this pattern Statistics Canada estimates about 4 million in 2006 (16%) Young adults Living in large urban centres About half of European descent Of those who are also part of a visible minority group the vast majority are of Eastern descent (e.g., South Asia) Trends increasing towards this pattern

3 Cultural Identity Belonging to both mainstream and heritage culture is important to how they view themselves Identities are constructed around network of shared norms Norms define the appropriateness of behaviours E.g., pre-marital sexuality Adherence to fulfill need for affiliation Belonging to both mainstream and heritage culture is important to how they view themselves Identities are constructed around network of shared norms Norms define the appropriateness of behaviours E.g., pre-marital sexuality Adherence to fulfill need for affiliation

4 (In)compatible Norms Most norms across cultures have similar expectations for youth E.g., Politeness Some cultural norms, however, do offer different expectations E.g., Expressing support for dating Most norms across cultures have similar expectations for youth E.g., Politeness Some cultural norms, however, do offer different expectations E.g., Expressing support for dating

5 Normative Context of 2 nd - Generation Youth Heritage norms Parents Attitude & daily routine Frozen in time Tight Encourage youth to follow tradition and maintain family honour Heritage norms Parents Attitude & daily routine Frozen in time Tight Encourage youth to follow tradition and maintain family honour Mainstream norms Peers & the media Must learn to function More endorsed than parents Loose Autonomy norms at odds with tradition and honour Mainstream norms Peers & the media Must learn to function More endorsed than parents Loose Autonomy norms at odds with tradition and honour

6 Negotiating Incompatible Norms Switching between identities Cultural identities are situationally driven by cues Second-generation become expert at switching E.g., support for dating at home and at school Resolution? Switching between identities Cultural identities are situationally driven by cues Second-generation become expert at switching E.g., support for dating at home and at school Resolution?

7 Normative conflict Conflict occurs when individuals must choose between sets of norms (hot points) E.g., Intimate partners; career choice; moving out Painful dilemma placed in a position faced with the potential for social regulation Which rejection to choose from? Heritage: family, tight norms; traditions Mainstream: peers; looser norms; autonomy Conflict occurs when individuals must choose between sets of norms (hot points) E.g., Intimate partners; career choice; moving out Painful dilemma placed in a position faced with the potential for social regulation Which rejection to choose from? Heritage: family, tight norms; traditions Mainstream: peers; looser norms; autonomy

8 Distinguishing conflicts Intergenerational conflicts between parents and children are found in all cultures E.g., conflicting music preference Culturally based conflicts are generated by different normative expectations Occurs in heterogeneous cultural environment Intergenerational conflicts between parents and children are found in all cultures E.g., conflicting music preference Culturally based conflicts are generated by different normative expectations Occurs in heterogeneous cultural environment

9 Relationships One key area for culturally based conflicts For young adults the choice of a life partner is an important one Cultural differences norms for relationships Eastern: maintenance and well-being of family; intimacy follows Western: publicly demonstrate a couples feeling of love; intimacy is a pre-requisite One key area for culturally based conflicts For young adults the choice of a life partner is an important one Cultural differences norms for relationships Eastern: maintenance and well-being of family; intimacy follows Western: publicly demonstrate a couples feeling of love; intimacy is a pre-requisite

10 Note: Much of the research is based on convenience and snowball sampling of second-generation youth Sample here is of 117 South Asian youth (average 21 years old) and of 108 Euro-Canadian youth (average 20 years old), about 62% women for both. Note: Much of the research is based on convenience and snowball sampling of second-generation youth Sample here is of 117 South Asian youth (average 21 years old) and of 108 Euro-Canadian youth (average 20 years old), about 62% women for both. Are norms perceived as different?

11 Are norms perceived as different? Support for premarital sex (1 to 7) ==== << ==== << >> <<

12 Internalization of Conflict Do second-generation youth internalize this conflict? Perceiving a distance e.g., The norms that guide intimate physical relationship for majority Canadians and South Asian are incompatible with each other. Internalizing the distance E.g., I feel torn between the values of majority Canadians and South Asian Canadians when it comes to intimate relationship. Do second-generation youth internalize this conflict? Perceiving a distance e.g., The norms that guide intimate physical relationship for majority Canadians and South Asian are incompatible with each other. Internalizing the distance E.g., I feel torn between the values of majority Canadians and South Asian Canadians when it comes to intimate relationship.

13 Psychological Adjustment Self-esteem (1 to 7)

14 Normative conflict & Negative Affect In another study, Euro-Canadian(n = 77) and South Asian (n = 99) youth (mean age 19) were reminded of a previous norm violation Compatible norms: Scheduling conflict Incompatible norms: Choosing a dating partner Assessed their negative affect e.g., shame, guilt In another study, Euro-Canadian(n = 77) and South Asian (n = 99) youth (mean age 19) were reminded of a previous norm violation Compatible norms: Scheduling conflict Incompatible norms: Choosing a dating partner Assessed their negative affect e.g., shame, guilt

15 Negative Affect Shame & Guilt (1 to 5)

16 Other areas Other areas that are likely to be associated with conflict Typically place tradition and autonomy against each other Career choices: Emphasis on prestige vs. follow dream Transition to leaving parental home (Moving out) Marriage vs. building autonomy Other areas that are likely to be associated with conflict Typically place tradition and autonomy against each other Career choices: Emphasis on prestige vs. follow dream Transition to leaving parental home (Moving out) Marriage vs. building autonomy

17 Take Home Message 1. Some areas, often placing autonomy against tradition, are more likely to lead to culturally based conflicts for second- generation youth 2. When culturally based conflicts do occur it leads to distress To alleviate distress follow heritage norms 3. Parents (first generation) must appreciate that learning norms is adaptive E.g., essential to success in a career 1. Some areas, often placing autonomy against tradition, are more likely to lead to culturally based conflicts for second- generation youth 2. When culturally based conflicts do occur it leads to distress To alleviate distress follow heritage norms 3. Parents (first generation) must appreciate that learning norms is adaptive E.g., essential to success in a career

18 Merci!Merci! Benjamin Giguère Benjamin Giguère