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Ethnic Identification: Capital and Distinction among Second-Generation British Indians

Research output: Contribution in Book/Report/Proceedings - With ISBN/ISSNChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Published
Publication date1/03/2019
Host publicationPerforming identity – How British Asians acquire subcultural capital, build social capital, and gain distinction through Bollywood, music and dance
EditorsDomen Bajde, Dannie Kjeldgaard, Russell W. Belk
PublisherEmerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Pages85-101
Number of pages17
ISBN (electronic)9781787542853
ISBN (print)9781787542860
<mark>Original language</mark>English
Event2018 Consumer Culture Theory Conference - Odense, Denmark
Duration: 28/06/2018 → …
https://www.sdu.dk/CCT2018

Conference

Conference2018 Consumer Culture Theory Conference
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityOdense
Period28/06/18 → …
Internet address

Publication series

NameConsumer Culture Theory
PublisherEmerald
Volume20
ISSN (Print)0885-2111

Conference

Conference2018 Consumer Culture Theory Conference
Country/TerritoryDenmark
CityOdense
Period28/06/18 → …
Internet address

Abstract

Purpose: This chapter seeks to understand ethnic identification among second-generation consumers by drawing upon the lived experiences of British Indian migrants in England. Methodology/Approach: The authors analyze interviews with middle-class, Hindu, second-generation British Indian women through Bourdieu’s key concepts of capital, field, habitus, and distinction. Findings: Through resources such as Bollywood cinema, and Indian schools for language, music, and dance, second-generation consumers acquire, use and (re) produce situationally prized subcultural capital for distinction from other ethnic consumers and members of the white majority group. Ethnicity is central to second-generation consumers’ identity projects, and their everyday social interactions. Ethnicity is considered in uplifting and empowering terms, and first-generation consumers play a key role in reinforcing this belief. Research Limitations/Implications: Due to our small sample size, limited by class, religion, and gender, the findings of this chapter might not be gen-eralizable to the wider population. Instead, they can be used to develop new theoretical ways of understanding ethnicity in multicultural settings with long-established migrant populations. Social Implications: Ethnicity can play a central and positive role in the everyday lives of second-generation consumers. By investigating this further, we can improve our understanding of contemporary, multicultural societies. Originality/Value of Paper: Prior work in consumer research has focused on understanding first-generation migrant consumers through the lens of acculturation, and foregrounding experiences of stigma and tension. Instead, the authors foreground the positive and uplifting lived experiences of second-generation consumers in relation to their ethnicity. This chapter extends the literature on second-generation ethnic consumer identity work.