The relationship between perceived discrimination, intergenerational homogeneity and ethnic identity among Chinese and South Asians in Canada

The purpose of this study was to examine which ethnic groups resist assimilation i.e. maintain their own culture and which ethnic groups do not maintain their culture in Canada. Since Canada is a multicultural country and has an official multiculturalism policy, which supports that ethnic group should maintain their culture in Canada. It was hypothesized that ethnic groups with stronger intergenerational (language, religion, ethnic ancestry) homogeneity and stronger perception of discrimination will have stronger ethnic identity. Stronger ethnic identity will represent resistance to assimilate in the host country. Data from Ethnic Diversity Survey (2005) was used to examine two major ethnic groups South Asian and Chinese in Canada. Methods used for analysis were ANOVA and regression. Results show there is a relationship between perceived discrimination and strength of ethnic identity for the whole sample. Also, between the two ethnic groups, South Asians perceived discrimination and had a stronger ethnic identity as compared to Chinese. For the overall sample, a strong linear association was also found between perceived discrimination and intergenerational language, religion and ancestry homogeneity.Arts, Faculty ofSociology, Department ofGraduat