What does it take to become “one of us?” Redefining ethnic-civic citizenship using markers of everyday nationhood
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Intercultural Relations
ISSN
01471767
Volume
78
First Page
10
Last Page
19
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Arts and Humanities
RAS ID
32085
Abstract
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd In this study we examined what are the markers of immigrant naturalisation as seen from the perspectives of recipient nationals. Social markers are perceptual signposts that receiving nationals use in deciding whether a non-native born is a member of the destination country. In short, what should immigrants do in order to be accepted by receiving nationals as “one of us”. Cross national data on 20 indicators of “everyday nationhood” were collected from five countries – Singapore, Japan, Australia, Finland, and Canada. The markers highlight common dispositions, activities, or social norms that are associated with citizenship. Exploratory factor analysis in each sample consistently demonstrated a two-factor structure model that supports the contemporary ethnic-civic distinction, but the markers that make up each of the two dimensions vary between countries. No metric equivalence was found, and that the markers have culture-specific meanings. The framework offers a novel insight to intercultural relations. The results suggest that adaptation and social inclusion need to consider the norms and values practised in the recipient society, and how immigration may redefine intergroup boundaries.
DOI
10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.04.006
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Leong, C. H., Komisarof, A., Dandy, J., Jasinskaja-Lahti, I., Safdar, S., Hanke, K., & Teng, E. (2020). What does it take to become “one of us?” Redefining ethnic-civic citizenship using markers of everyday nationhood. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 78, 10-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2020.04.006