Asian Americans’ Ethnic Identity Exploration and the Role of Ethnic Community in a Southern City in the United States

Suzie S Weng,Shinwoo Choi

doi:10.3390/soc11030109

Suzie S Weng, Shinwoo Choi

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11030109

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Abstract

This qualitative study explores Asian Americans’ ethnic identity concerning their process of exploring their own identity belonging and the impact of an ethnic community in a southern city in the United States. The South has mainly consisted of European Americans and African Americans. However, it has diversified to include an increasing number of Latinx and Asian Americans over the last several decades. Yet, the growing Asian American community remains disparate in its ethnic identity and nationality. Therefore, this study uses the phenomenological method to provide a more in-depth understanding of ethnic identity in an Asian American community within a southern region of the United States. Themes emerging from interviews included the need to bridge two worlds, the desire to be part of a community, and the existence of a two-layer community involving both ethnic and racial identity. This study contributes to a greater understanding of Asian Americans’ experiences in and adaptation to the Southern region within the United States. Implications for practice are provided for social workers when working alongside Asian American clients.

Highlights

In the United States, ethnicity is a social category that differentiates people socially, economically, and behaviorally [1]
This study explored how ethnic identity influences Asian American community members’ roles and lives in a Southern city in the United States
The current study explored Asian Americans’ experiences of ethnic identity development and involvement with ethnic communities in a Southern city in the United States

Summary

Introduction

In the United States, ethnicity is a social category that differentiates people socially, economically, and behaviorally [1]. It plays an important role in ethnic minority individuals’ life experiences [2]. Asian American is a pan-ethnic identification, bringing together subgroups that represent small percentages of the entire United States population [3]. It encompasses a wide range of religious beliefs, social classes, legal statuses, ethnic identifications, and migration histories but increases potential power through bigger numbers [4].

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