Double Loyalties: South Asian Adolescents in the West

by Paul A. S. Ghuman

Overview

Double Loyalties is a major study of issues facing second- and third-generation South Asian young people growing up in western countries. Drawing on extensive fieldwork from four countries (Britain, the United States, Canada and Australia), Paul Ghuman offers a detailed view of such areas as schooling and education, bilingualism, acculturation patterns, cultural conflicts and identity formation, racial prejudice, gender equality and employment opportunities.

Integrating quantitative data derived from an acculturation scale and qualitative material gathered from interviews and observations with psychological and anthropological theories, Double Loyalties provide a significant in-depth analysis of contemporary biculturalism and bilingualism. It makes constructive suggestions to improve the education and lifestyles of young South Asians in the West and will be essential reading for researchers in the field of ethnic minority studies and cross-cultural studies, as well as for teachers, youth workers and social workers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780708317655
Publisher:	University of Wales Press
Publication date:	07/18/2003
Series:	University of Wales - Pocket Guide Ser.
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 5.40(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Paul A. Singh Ghuman is professor and head of education at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Table of Contents

List of tables
Acknowledgements
Glossary of South Asian words and terms
Introduction

1. From the Ganges to the Thames and the Hudson: The Background of Pioneering Immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent
2. The Halfway Generation: The Concerns and Issues of Younger Generations
3. Researching Ethnic Minorities: Locations, Samples and Methodology
4. Overachievers or Underachievers? Parents' and Teachers' Perceptions of Schooling and Education
5. Between Two Stools: Parents' Concerns and Dilemmas
6. Assimilation or Integration? Young People's Attitudes
7. Mad or Sacred Cows? Voices of Young People
8. Daughters of Tradition
9. Continuity and Change: Reflections and Recommendations

Appendix 1: Acculturation Scale and a Questionnaire
Appendix 2: Topics for Semi-structured Interviews
Appendix 3: Graphs
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

. . . very well referenced in framing all aspects under discussion within an appropriate and often very up-to-date academic context . . . an excellent source for any student embarking on the study of this area.” –International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism

International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism

This book by Professor Ghuman not only results form his current research relating to the Asian community but also is a result of his wisdom and longstanding scholarly interest in this field.” –Professor Jagdish Gundara, UNESCO Chair in Intercultural Studies, Institute of Education, University of London

Jagdish Gundara

This rich comparative study details how south Asian-origin youth in Australia, Britain, Canada and the US grow up bicultural with double loyalties. It will be of particular interest to teachers, counselors, and other educators who work with South Asian youths.” –Professor Margaret Gibson, University of California, Santa Cruz

Margaret Gibson

This book provides a fascinating window on the experiences and lives of young South Asian people living in four different countries (Britain, Australia, Canada and the US). One of the great strengths of the study is that it involved the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. While the quantitative findings are important for revealing broad statistical trends, the qualitative narrative accounts which are given by the young people, their parents and their teachers provide rich and vivid detail about the personal experiences of these adolescents. The book clearly describes the impact which family culture, religion, SES, educational provision and national context have upon the acculturation of these individuals, and the cross-national comparisons, in particular, make a major contribution to our understanding of how the socio- political context of the receiving nation plays a crucial role in the acculturation of ethnic minority individuals. The book is immensely readable, and Paul Ghuman is to be congratulated for his perceptive and deeply insightful study, analyses and commentary.” –Professor Martyn Barrett, Department of Psychology, University of Surrey

Martyn Barrett

This is a far-reaching book, both topical and readable, which provides a fascinating comparative account of issues facing young second and third generation South Asians in four ‘Western’ countries . . . provides important insights . . . makes a more than useful contribution to understanding the need for dialogue and education in order to foster inter-ethnic harmony in diverse societies . . . will surely be of value to a range of readers, including teachers, counsellors, youth workers, social workers, as well as to researchers into ethnic minority studies, gender, bilingualism and cross-cultural studies.” –Educational Review

Educational Review

“It's an excellent book and a splendid achievement [...] Ghuman's research uses the voices of the young people themselves. This is a revealing text which goes beyond theory, ideology or mere description. It helps the reader to understand the real issues facing young South Asians in the West in both their education and the construction of their identities.” –Professor Iram Siraj-Blatchford, University of London

“Paul Ghuman has written a wonderfully rich account of how immigrants from South Asia settle into and adapt to new societies. His research is particularly compelling in the use of direct quotations from interview with participants … Such qualitative material provides context and substance to his quantitative findings using formal scales.” –John Berry, Emeritus Professor, Queens University Canada

John Berry

“This book will be used by a wide variety of professionals. It’s solid conclusions and policy-related future recommendations make it profitable reading for researchers and teachers alike. Similarly, the book will also be useful to students interested in studying ethnic minority groups. The glossary of words an terms, evaluation of the methods and the useful introduction to the processes of immigration will have practical value within a variety of disciplines. The synthesis of all these elements makes the book compulsive reading.” –Welsh Journal of Education

Welsh Journal of Education

“This is a very timely volume. Professor Ghuman has explored with great skill a variety of issues in the development of identities of young South Asians across four countries. His emphasis on gender, race and ethnicity cuts across South Asian communities around the world and give a comprehensive understanding of their youth.” –Professor Ratna Ghosh, McGill University Canada

Ratna Ghosh