The Greek Identity of Second & Third Generation Greek

Americans By Angelyn Balodimas-Bartolomei, PhD

The American Hellenic Institute Foundation

The Future of Hellenism in America12th Annual Conference

November 23, 2013Miami, Florida

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IntroductionFor decades, researchers have studied:

Immigrants’ transition to USA

Process/stages of adjustment

“ethnogenesis”new ethnic & cultural identity

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Melting Pot-Assimilation Theory

Early 20th CenturyDominant theoryBlending into mainstream culture

Loss of ethnic identity

By 3rd generation… “immigrants’ grandchildren leave behind all traces of ethnicity.” (Sandburg, 1974; Roche, 1982; Valentine, 2001)

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Acculturation TheoryMid 20th century

Racial/ethnic groups maintain ethnic/cultural identity

Metaphors Salad bowl Mosaic RainbowKaleidoscopeLayered cake

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salad_bowl.gif

Ethnic Revival/3rd Generation Theory

3rd Generation Hypothesis“return to ancestral ethnic group” (Hansen,1962; Goering,

1971)

Third generation:Stronger socioeconomic status & US identity

(Parillo, 2002)

Higher interest in ethnic identity than 2nd gen.

Rediscovery of ethnic & cultural heritage among youth (Greeks, Italians, Jews & Swedes)

“What the child wishes to forget, the grandchild wishes to remember” (Hansen, 1966)

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Symbolic IdentityGans (1979)

Strengthening “old country” tiesTours to religious sitesOccasional participation in religious worship Increased importance of home-centered ceremonies

(Rheuban, 2004)

Only an emergence of symbolic identity

Symbolic expressions detached from ethno-religious culture

They do not:Require commitments (groups, organizations)Appear in everyday lifestyles (Gans, 1979)

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Performed Studies on Generational Greek Identity-20th Century

Researcher/Title

Year

Generation Results

Scourby, AliceThree Generation Greek Americans: A Study in Ethnicity

1967

1988

71- 3rd gen.-New York

160-1st, 2nd, 3rd gen.

Religion continues to provide self identity.

1st-strong ethnic identity2nd-more Greek than 3rd

3rd-broader ethnocultural valuesVlahos, EvangelosAssimilation of Greeks…(Indiana)

1968 1st; 2nd; 3rd 1st gen-adapted to American life; retained Greek way of life2nd-decrease in ethnicity3rd-searching for Greek ethnicity

Constantakos ChrysieEthnic language as variable in subcultural community

1982 211-1st; 2nd; 3rd

Questionnaire/interview

Greek language holds symbolic identity-when language weakens so does identity

Constantinou & HarveyDimensional Structure & Intergenerational Diff

1985 1st; 2nd; 3rd

Akron Ohio Questionnaire

1st-most cohesive ethnic identity2nd-least of all groups3rd-signs of ethnic revival

Demos VasilikeMaintenance & loss of traditional gender. Boundaries in 2 Greek Orthodox communities

1989 1st, 2nd, 3rd

533 participants/2 parishes

Positive attitude-Church & Language

Greek ethnicity (religious & ethnic identity) decreases from generation to generation

Kourvetaris George1st & 2nd Generation Greeks in Chicago

1989 90 Greek Orthodox SinglesQuestionnaire

Majority 2nd generation

Ethnicity not as important as faithGreek family & Greek Culture/History ranked 1st & 2nd highest

What is Ethnicity/Greekness/Greek IdentityPast Studies

•Greek religion - strong•Family values - strong• Interest in Greek history/culture - strong

• Language loss among generations•Ethnicity decreases among generations

When language weakens so does ethnicity

Purpose of Study Analyze previous theories

Determine if correlations exist among current 2nd -3rd- 3rd+

Provide missing information

How 2nd, 3rd & 3rd+ generation Greek interpret & view issues of:

Ethnic Involvement Greek Identity & Culture Motherland Contact/Media Religion & Holidays Greek Customs & Traditions Greek Music & Dance Greek Language/Greek Schools

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Research MethodologyThis study investigates the cultural,

ethnic, religious & symbolic identity among 2nd, 3rd, 3rd+ generation Greek Americans through the distribution of a attitudinal questionnaire.

Research Participants

Greek Americans-2nd, 3rd, 3rd+ generations US citizen by birthAt least 18 years old51 males 130 females Total=181

2nd generation -121 Born in the United States with at least one foreign born parent

3rd or 3rd+ generation- 60 Born in the United States with both parents (grandparents) also born in the USA

Personal Information-Age

1921-1930 80-89

1931-1940 70-

79

1941-1950 60-

69

1951-1960 50-

59

1961-1970 40-

49

1971-1980 30-

39

1981-1990 20-

29

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2

1214 15

2422

12

03

10

32

18

25

12 2nd 3rd

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Personal Information Ranking of Heritage

Mother' Side Father's Side Both0102030405060708090100

4 7

90

188

74

2nd3rd

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Personal InformationMarital Status

Single Married Divorced Widowed01020304050607080

31

62

6 3

22

69

5 5

2nd3rd

Personal Information-Education

High School

2 Year BA/BS MA Ph.D Other05101520253035404550

610

46

16

7

15

8 10

43

20

3

152nd3rd

Personal Information-ProfessionsTop Three Teacher Student Attorney

Other common professions Consultant Professor Office Manager Banking Dentist, Executive Real Estate RN Retired Sales School Psychologist Secretary Self-Employed

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Ethnic Involvement-Community

Active Satisfied Greek Frie...

0102030405060708090100 92

66

54

75

50

27

2nd3rd

Ethnic Identity/Culture

0

40

80

12072

96 9881

6298 93

63

2nd3rd

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Place “Greek” Before American

Male Yes Male NO Female Yes Female NO0102030405060708090100

86

14

91

10

71

29

78

22

2nd3rd

Contact with Greece

0

20

40

60

8082 83

5362

35

58

79

32 27 20 23

3

3553

2nd3rd

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Trips to Greece

Yearly 2-3 years 4-10 years Never Have0

10

20

30

40

50

60

11

35

51

35 8

57

30 2nd3rd

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Personal InformationFamily in Greece

Yes No 0

20

40

60

80

100

120100

0

88

13

2nd3rd

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Religion & Holidays

020406080

8567

285

4430

4426

83

5535

10

42 46 42

12

2nd3rd

Greek Customs & Traditions

020406080 68

30

73

2446 46

5632

2nd3rd

Greek Music & Dancing

Greek Music A

lot

Greek Music

Somewhat

Greek Dancing

A lot

Greek Dancing Somewhat

01020304050607080

60

38

70

2625

68

4251

2nd3rd

Greek Language

Grew Up Speaking Greek

Currently speak Greek at home

Speak Greek with

friends

Attended Greek School

0

20

40

60

80 78

48 53

83

31

14 19

64

2nd3rd

Greek Language

0306090

90 86

44

4

66 64 72

0

2nd3rd

Results of Study-PositiveIdentity:Conscious of Greek IdentityOver ½90% of 2nd generation

Consider themselves GA3rd gen.-Nearly ¾

Ethnic Pride:***Very high

Family:***Very high-important in maintaining identity

Religion:High-Religious HolidaysOver ½ attend Church frequently

Media:More than ½ – internet

Travel:More than ½ visit Greece every 4-10 years

***Very High¾ of 3rd gen. would like to study Greek

Results of Study-NegativeOrganizations: Big DropInvolvement/satisfaction

Family Traditions: Big DropAmong 3rd gen.

Travel: Big DropHigh rate 3rd gen. - never gone to Greece

Greek Friendships: Big Drop Very few 3rd gen. have Greek friends

Marriage: Big DropNot important to marry a GRNearly ⅓ of 2nd gen. & ½ of 3rd

Greek Music/Dance-Big DropGreek music & dance - half

Greek Language/Greek School-Big DropGrew up speaking GreekStill speak GreekAttended Greek SchoolNone are currently studying Greek

Send children to Greek school/ Raise in Greek Environment-Big Drop

¾ of 2nd gen Only ½ of 3rd

Contact/Media/Magazines/Newspapers/Radio/TV: Big Drop

Many of Today’s Greek Americans……

Do not go to Greek SchoolDo not speak the languageAre not around those who speak GreekDo not uphold many traditionsAre not involved in organizationsDo not read Greek magazines & newspapersDo not often go to GreeceDo not care to marry a Greek American

but….They are very proud of being GreekMany still attend churchA large number would like to study Greek

Is it too late? What can we do? How can we keep them connected?

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