ETHNIC IDENTITY OF GREEKS LIVING IN THEIR HOMELAND AND IN RUSSIA

Abstract

Ethnic identity as a sense of belonging based on our ancestry, cultural heritage, values, and traditions helps us to find our place in our homeland. But what if a person migrates to another country for purpose of getting a job or education? Do people living in their homeland and those who study or work abroad have differences in their ethnic identity? These questions became the basis of our investigation. The study`s purpose was to investigate the ethnic identity of Greeks in their homeland and Russia in order to find out how ethnic identity is determined by such factors as country (homeland or foreign country), occupation (work or study) and sex (male or female). We used the following questionnaires: The Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) by Jean S. Phinney, The Positive and Uncertain Ethnic Identity Measure by A.N. Tatarko and N.M. Lebedeva, The Twenty Statements Test by Manfred Kuhn & Thomas McPartland adapted by T.V. Rumyantseva. We conducted Mann-Whitney U-test and multivariate analysis of variance. Results indicate the following. There are differences between Greeks living in their homeland and in Russia. Namely, those living in Russia surpass in affective component of ethnic identity, positive and uncertain ethnic identity. They have more answers reflecting their Greek nationality. Greeks living in Greece have a higher level of ethnic identity search. These differences were corroborated among both men and women. Among students, we found out the same differences except for positive ethnic identity. The Greeks working in Greece showed higher uncertain ethnic identity than those working in Russia. There are differences in ethnic identity between Greeks who work or study. Those who work have higher results in ethnic identity and ethnic identity search among all groups. Working women also have higher results in positive and uncertain ethnic identity. Greeks working in Greece also surpass Greeks studying in the homeland in a number of answers reflecting their religion and in uncertain ethnic identity and concede in positive ethnic identity. Among those living in Russia, students have higher results in uncertain ethnic identity and lower in positive ethnic identity. As for the differences among men and women, Greek women have a more positive ethnic identity and men – uncertain ethnic identity. The same results we got among those who live in the homeland. But there were found no differences between Greek men and women living in Russia. Working men have higher results in ethnic identity search and lower positive ethnic identity in comparison to working women. Male students have higher results in uncertain ethnic identity and affective components of ethnic identity. As for the multivariate analysis of variance, it showed us the following. The factor sex determines ethnic identity, ethnic identity search, positive and uncertain ethnic identity. The factor country (homeland or Russia) determines affective component and ethnic identity search, positive and uncertain ethnic identity. The factor employment (work or study) determines ethnic identity search and positive ethnic identity.