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
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Greek_american_Migrant_-_late_19th--20th_century.jpghttp://historytogo.utah.gov/people/ethnic_cultures/images/Greek3.jpg
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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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
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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