Self-identity Issues of South Asian Young People in Australian Schools

Abstract

The aim of this study is to ascertain the perceptions of South Asian parents and young people with regard to a range of identity-related issues and education. To obtain a comprehensive and balanced picture, a number of white teachers is also included in the research. A representative sample of students was drawn from three high schools; two located in a city area and the third in a rural area of New South Wales. Eighteen parents and thirty students and sixteen teachers were interviewed to discover their attitudes and perceptions towards: bilingualism and the teaching of community languages, religious orientation, gender issues, identity, prejudice and racism, and acculturation. In addition, seventy-five boys and girls completed an established Acculturation Scale. The responses of the non-manual group are compared with that of the manual group and the implications for the education of South Asian young people are drawn.