DIALECTIC OF ETHNIC IDENTITY AND CLASS: COEXISTENCE OR CONFLICT?

Abstract

Abstract. The study aimed to investigate coexistence or conflict between ethnic and class identity, the subjects to the study were 400 chosen from Turkmen, Turk and Sistani people aged 15-29 in Gonbad Kavoos City due to the ethnic scattering and socioeconomic structure. First, the conceptual study on ethnic and class identity, pervious research and George Herbert Mead's theory has been done. Then, assuming impact of socialization on identity construction, the coordination between family, school and university for the purpose of formation of ethnic and class identity was investigated. Both objective and subjective ethnic identity and class identification in the two forms of traditional and modern were investigated. Result showed that only objective ethnic identity and class identification in its modern form have had conflicting interaction among university students. However, the subjects have had peaceful coexistence in other dimensions. It should be said that there was a lack of coordination between university, school and family in the transmission of values and patterns. Key words: Identity, Ethnic identity, class identity, socialization.