[aldo_14]

This is interesting; http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/67366.html

  Young people from ethnic minorities place more importance on their Scottishness than their white counterparts, a study has found.

Results of research into the cultural backgrounds of 134 teenagers from ethnic minorities living in Glasgow showed they often thought and talked more about being Scottish than white Scots.

Analysts believe they are forced into emphasising their Scottishness partly because of prejudice and discrimination.

The study, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, found that 80% of the young people interviewed considered themselves to be Scottish.

It also revealed that young Indian and Pakistani men and young Chinese women rated a higher level of importance to their Scottish identity than white men and women.

Half of Chinese Scots interviewed felt that social interaction had a major bearing in their feeling of being Scottish, whereas only 27% of Indians and 14% of Pakistanis thought likewise.

The majority – 82% of Indian Scots, 100% of Chinese Scots and 68% of Pakistani Scots – put their place of origin as major reasons for feeling Scottish. However, just 66% of white Scots concurred.

Some 36% of Pakistani Scots and 27% of Indian Scots said a factor in identifying their nationality came through recognising the difference in cultures between being from north of the border and being English, Welsh or Irish.

Many of those interviewed acknowledged a duality of cultures, unlike those south of the border, referring to themselves in terms of hybrid identities such as Scottish Asian or Scottish Muslim.

The work, carried out by psychologists at St Andrews and Stirling universities, also discovered the identification of Scottishness was linked to higher levels of self-esteem.

The report suggests government agencies should "not be complacent" about the need to promote an inclusive Scottish identity, and it could do that by using the dual ethnicity labels.

The study, led by Dr Clare Cassidy of St Andrews and Dr Rory O'Connor of Stirling, set out to paint a picture of the decisions facing Scottish youths of different cultural backgrounds at an important stage of their lives.

Dr Cassidy said: "In general, we found minority ethnic youths gave Scottishness at least equal importance if not more importance than their white counterparts.

"I think it is in part because they have to spend more time thinking about it and defending their Scottish identity than their white counterparts, particularly if they experience discrimination or have the perception they are not Scottish."
She believed that if a similar research project was carried out south of the border, the results would be different.

"I think you would find that while the Scottish Pakistani label is used, the label English Pakistani is less likely to be used. The English identity is sometimes more bound up with being ethnically English as opposed to being civically English, whereas Scottish is seen as a more inclusive identity and people are more likely to embrace hybrid identities such as Scottish Asian."

Osama Saeed, Scottish spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain, said the report shows the English have lessons to learn from the Scots about how not to alienate ethnic minorities.

"In Scotland, I don't think ethnic minorities have been battered as they have been south of the border," he said.

"People feel at home in Scotland because people can come to the table with their own beliefs and identity and they are still very much Scottish.

"In England you feel you have to ditch whatever you came in with and adopt a uniform that is acceptable to everyone," he said

[karajorma]

I've got to say that I don't agree with the article's take on England at all. I've always called myself English full stop. I've never even bothered to go any further than that.

[vyper]

This is interesting. An ex-girlfriend of mine is from Sri Lanka. She was born there and was adopted by a scottish family when only a few months old. When we talk about nationality I usually say I'm British, and Scottish. She says she's Scottish, full stop. (well, except for when Cricket or something silly like thats on - then she's suddenly Sri Lankan again!) It's an interesting comparison.

[Colonol Dekker]

On the same note, i say i'm a Londoner in general conversation, Overall though i'd say English.

[aldo_14]

Scots, then Glasweigan, then European, then British.

[Wobble73]

Hi I'm a human first and foremost, citizen of the world, based in Europe, on one of the British Isles, England specifically, North-west to be exact, Bolton born and bred, currently residing on the Wirral Peninsula.



Oh and I happen to be english speaking and have a slightly tanned, but mostly white colour of skin, but that is the very least of importance to me. (Except I like to sunbathe, not for the tan, although that's nice, but for the Vitamin D and the relaxation)

[Kosh]

I'm just another Terran, the rest doesn't matter.

[Wild Fragaria]

People tend to ask me "Korean?"  "Chinese?" "Japanese?".  My answers -- "Nope" "Nope" "Nope"

[Nuclear1]

People tend to ask me "Korean?"  "Chinese?" "Japanese?".  My answers -- "Nope" "Nope" "Nope"

It's almost the same story with having to explain my last name--it's of Latvian origin, but since nearly noone who asks has any idea where Latvia is, I just say Russian.

[an0n]

'Ethnic' people in England just call themselves British.

If asked 'what are you?' I go: Sociopath -> British -> Northerner -> English.

[Kazan]

People tend to ask me "Korean?"  "Chinese?" "Japanese?".  My answers -- "Nope" "Nope" "Nope"

well what nationality do you consider yourself?


/i'm a human.. i happen to be white

[NGTM-1R]

Ordinary White Guy demographic of Humanity.

[Scuddie]

I'm caldari...


What?

[Hunter]

People tend to ask me "Korean?"  "Chinese?" "Japanese?".  My answers -- "Nope" "Nope" "Nope"

Well, they probably aren't very world wise, because, Chinese aside, you don't look like any of  those..

[ZylonBane]

Entire article can be summed up as, "People try to fit in".

[karajorma]

Except the bit about the Scottish doing it more than the English.

You know. The bit that was the entire point of the article.


Any fool can tell that in general people will try to fit in. What's interesting is why it's happening more in certain locations than in others.

[aldo_14]

As an aside, I think it's quite nice to see Glasgow (today) seemingly coming more multi-ethnic.

[an0n]

Now all they need to do is make it illegal for Scottish women to drink alcohol.

They NEVER. STOP. TALKING.

[aldo_14]

Now all they need to do is make it illegal for Scottish women to drink alcohol.

They NEVER. STOP. TALKING.

Um, that's so they can stop you talking.

[vyper]

As an aside, I think it's quite nice to see Glasgow (today) seemingly coming more multi-ethnic.

I agree. There was this really hot Chinese chick at my grad ball...