ETHNICITY
What it is:
“In sociology, ethnicity is a concept referring to a shared culture and a way of life. This can be reflected in language, religion, material culture such as clothing and cuisine, and cultural products such as music and art. Ethnicity is often a major source of social cohesion as well as social conflict.” “Different ethnic groups do not use the same criteria to define group membership. While one group may emphasize the importance of a shared language, another may emphasize the importance of a shared religious identity.” Source |
Remember:
Race, ethnicity, and nationality have different meanings, though are sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation. To see examples of the differences between these three terms, take a look at the chart in the response to the first FAQ below. “The cultural elements that define a particular ethnic group are taught, not inherited. This means that the boundaries between ethnic groups are, to some degree, fluid, allowing for individuals to move between groups. This can happen, for example, when a child from one ethnic group is adopted into another, or when an individual undergoes a religious conversion. It can also happen through the process of acculturation, whereby members of a native group are forced to adopt the culture and manners of a dominating host group.” Source |
Examples of Personal Modifiers:
- German, Chinese, Navajo, Nigerian, Malaysian, Kurdish, Igbo, Welsh