Lenkijos lietuvių jaunimas: etninio ir pilietinio tapatumo raiška

Straipsnis paremtas 2005 m. Punsko apylinkėse atliktų lauko tyrimų duomenimis. Sprendžiant paribio gyventojo tapatumo problemą, užsibrėžiamas tikslas atskleisti jaunų Lenkijos lietuvių etninio ir pilietinio tapatumų raišką. Tyrime naudojamas lyginamasis metodas. Šiaurės Lenkijoje atliktas tyrimas lyginamas su 1998 m. ta pačia metodika atliktais Pietryčių ir 1999 m. - Pietvakarių Latvijos lietuvių tyrimais. Darbe daroma išvada, kad šiuolaikiniai globalizacijos nulemti procesai gali (išskirta autoriaus) turėti poveikį jaunimo etninio tapatumo raiškai, tačiau Lenkijos lietuvių bendruomenės formuojami socialiniai ryšiai kompensuoja mažėjančias etnokultūrinio paveldo perdavimo galimybes. Kasdieniame ir šventiniame gyvenime vyresnės kartos visokeriopai palaikoma lietuvių etninė kultūra, vis dar puoselėjama bei perimama, ir formuoja jaunesniosios kartos etninio tapatumo prioritetus prieš pilietinį.The article is based upon field research data gathered in 2005 in the environs of Punskas. Focusing on the problem of identity of a borderline resident, the author seeks to study representations of the ethnic and national identity developed by young Lithuanian-Poles. To do it, data of research performed in North Poland are compared with data collected by means of identical methods in Southeast (1998) and Southwest Latvia (1999). Research data show that the local ethnic background and ethnic composition may be a significant source of identity fostering the dominance of the Lithuanian language in the family and among friends, and also encouraging the schooling in Lithuanian. However, it was found that despite the presence of the ethnic environment, some young individuals use not only Lithuanian inner speech to perform relevant mental operations. Besides, they prefer Polish books, Polish press, and Polish television or radio broadcasts. Mass media produce similar influence in the investigated Latvian areas where the rate of ethnic Lithuanians totals only to several per cent. On the other hand, this influence weakens with the expansion of modern computer technologies offering a chance to read the Lithuanian press or communicate with Lithuanians living abroad. Very intensive cultural activities carried out by Lithuanian residents in Punskas consolidate the feelings of ethnic identity. They encourage people to celebrate Lithuanian holidays or support Lithuanian sports teams, or articulate their wish to come to Lithuania more often, or study at higher schools in Lithuania, or even call Lithuania their Motherland - a possible place of residence in future. Modern developments brought about by globalisation may influence the representation of youths ethnic identity. However, social relations built by the community of Lithuanian Poles compensate for the dwindling chances of handing over their ethno-cultural heritage. Lithuanian ethnic culture, supported in multiple ways by the elder generation on an everyday and holiday level, is still cherished and accepted by the younger generation. What is more, Lithuanian ethnic culture moulds the younger generations priority of ethnic identity over the national one