Second generation identities: The case of transnational young females of Russian descent in Israel

Abstract

The present paper explores the transnational orientation of second-generation female immigrant teenagers of Russian descent in Israel and their position regarding these two cultures and the respective part they play in the participants’ identity negotiations. Comparisons are made with findings of two previous studies on gender-based adaptation styles of youth of similar origin, who arrived during mid-to-late adolescence. This is in order to investigate the impact of age at arrival on gendered features of identity construction. Comparative analyses are also performed, with pertinent findings, among additional second-generation transnationals, such as Vietnamese and Filipino in the United States. These serve as heuristics in an attempt to disclose common characteristics in second-generation identity construction processes among young female transnational migrants.