Date

2017-07-14

Author

Erdur Baker, Özgür
Özmen, Onur

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Objectives 1. Identify the institutional pressures ethnic minorities experience in a Chinese dominant society 2. Evaluate the coping strategies used in developing resilience 3. Develop a theoretical framework that can explain high levels of self-efficacy and its effects on marginalised groups Method Interviews were conducted with a sample of Hong Kong ethnic minority youth (n=20). The data were coded in multiple ways to enable comparisons, develop connections between different codes and validate the emerging themes and propositions. Results Despite institutional constraints such as lack of citizenship, racism and a schooling system that failed to recognize the needs of second language learners, this sample drew strength from their pan ethnic identity. This seemed to shelter them from the most damaging features of the institutions that had the potential to threaten them. Identity worked to build social cohesion within ethnic minority groups enabling them to confront issues in a united way and to draw strength from their solidarity. At the same time individuals perceived that they experienced benefits in their host society and these often outweighed any problems they encountered. This instrumentalism coupled with their shared identity helped them to make their way in a society where they represented less than 4% of the population. Conclusion These results suggest that otherwise marginalized groups are not necessarily lacking in self efficacy when it comes to negotiating complex social environments. They develop resources within and between themselves to confront issues that may otherwise overwhelm them if they have to face them on their own.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/75635

Collections

Department of Educational Sciences, Conference / Seminar