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Romeo Samo, Natalia (2023) Neither here nor there: exploring identity in British born second-generation ethnic minorities, who also identify as ethnic minorities in the country their parents originally migrated from. Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.
Background:
Migrating and adapting into a new culture can create challenges and changes inidentity. Questions around identity development, belonging, and adaptation are not only relevant for migrants, but also for descendant generations. Research suggests second-generation immigrants may experience 'biculturalism': the internalisation of values and practices of two cultures. Whilst providing essential frameworks, bicultural theories risk becoming reductionist in relation to migrants with more complex life trajectories and may neglect essential parts of individuals' idiographic experience. Experiences of some second-generation migrants may not easily fit into a bicultural model. A research gap was found relating to identity experiences in second generations who identify as ethnic minorities in their country of birth, as well as in their country of migratory origin.
Method:
This qualitative research study utilised Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology. Individual Semi-structured interviews were completed with five British born adults with immigrant parents. Participants identified that they were ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom, and that their parents were also ethnic minorities in the country they had originally migrated from.
Findings:
Three Group Experiential Themes were drawn: 1) Temporal Journeys: Ethnic Minority Experience in UK Shaping sense of Self, 2) Looking Back to Understand the Present, 3) Neither Here nor There. Participants described a pervasive sense of difference in the UK and how a parental minority context in country of migratory origin contributed to an emphasis on ethnicity, ensuring they have a voice, and fostered self-efficacy. Participants depicted a layered sense of belonging, fluid identities, and importance of relationships. The findings bring insight to Counselling Psychologists and therapists alike, highlighting the value of considering heritage, ethnicity, and socio-political context in country of migratory origin in relation to identity and belonging, when working with adult children of migrants.
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