Second-generation South Asian Research Articles

Second-generation South Asian [im]migrants: a new frontier of diaspora tourism

ABSTRACT Diaspora tourism refers to the travel and tourism activities of individuals or communities of a particular ethnicity or culture to their ancestral or historical destinations. The study of diaspora tourism remains a challenging endeavour, mainly due to the apparent inadequacy of previous studies. Diaspora tourism is often viewed as a form of ‘homecoming.’ I argue that tourism in the traditional sense is different from the tourism rganized by the second-generation diaspora because these generations do not simply go to their ancestor’s places to explore the connections. Hence, this research seeks to understand the lived experiences of second-generation immigrants better when they visit their ancestral lands and the influence of second-generation transnationalism on their experiences of diaspora tourism. This study will contribute to the literature on diaspora tourism by comparing first and second-generation immigrants and highlighting the differences in their tourism experiences in the South Asian diaspora.

Socioeconomic Attainments of Second-Generation South Asian Americans: Evidence from the American Community Survey, 2014–2018

Using data from the American Community Survey for 2014–2018, we provide empirical evidence about the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of South Asian Americans. Our study investigates not only Indians, but also provides the first multivariate analyses for Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Pakistani, and Sri Lankans. The focus is on second-generation South Asians, but some descriptive statistics are shown for first-generation immigrants. In comparison to Whites, the educational distributions of first-generation immigrants are bimodal to varying degrees across the South Asian groups. However, with the exception of the Nepalese, all of the native-born South Asian groups obtain higher levels of education than Whites. Poverty among South Asian groups tends to reflect their educational levels so that poverty rates decline between the first-generation and the native-born, but second-generation Bangladeshi and Pakistani have somewhat higher than expected poverty due to family size and composition. Second-generation Indians, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans are more likely to be affluent than Whites, and these differences are partly but not fully explained by educational and other demographic characteristics. Other findings provide no support for the popular claim that the wages of second-generation South Asian groups are disadvantaged in comparison to Whites.

Struggles for identity formation: second-generation South Asian diaspora overseas

ABSTRACT The second-generation South Asian diaspora, made up of individuals whose parents were born as immigrants in a foreign country, often faces unique and complex challenges in forming and reconciling their identities. This article attempts to shed light on the difficulties faced by second-generation South Asians in foreign communities, highlighting the greater identity problems compared to the third and fourth generations. The identity problems of second generation South Asians arise from their position at the crossroads of two cultures. They struggle with the tension between their ancestral roots and the dominant culture of their adopted country, which can lead to a profound sense of confusion. Unlike third- and fourth-generation people, who have a more solid sense of identity, second-generation people often find themselves caught between two worlds, leading to a range of psychological, social, and cultural challenges.

"South Asian Woman's Identity: A Comprehensive Analysis of Zara Raheem's "The Marriage Clock"

Second-generation South Asian immigrants most often experience cultural hybridity where the task to balance between the home culture and the culture of the new world is gruesome for many. Understanding cultural hybridity signifies that transcultural relations are complex, processual and dynamic (Kraidy, 2002). This paper aims to find out the issues faced by South Asian women in embracing their home culture and its norms completely. It further notices how cultural diversity impacts a South Asian woman in shaping her identity and the perceptions of first generation immigrants with respect to the hybrid culture. The paper tends to observe how the traditional “matchmaking” process in association with marriage in South Asian culture works for a woman in the light of Zara Raheem’s “The Marriage Clock” (2019). A qualitative study is carried out for conducting the research where Bhabha’s “Theory of Hybridity & Third Space” (1995) is employed for interpreting the transcultural relationships present within the book.

Help seeking and mental health outcomes among South Asian young adult survivors of sexual violence in the New York State Region.

BackgroundSexual violence is a growing issue faced across diverse South Asian American communities under the backdrop of a distinct religious and cultural environment that intersects with the ability to prevent and manage this public health crisis. There is also growing attention on sexual violence experienced by younger or second-generation South Asian Americans, although little is known on the prevalence of this violence and its impact on health outcomes. Using data from a community-driven sexual violence survey, this study describes the experience of sexual violence and related help seeking behaviors and mental health outcomes among 18–34-year-old South Asian Americans living near the New York (NY) State region.MethodsParticipants were recruited via social media to participate in an anonymous survey developed in partnership with an advisory board of South Asian young adult representatives. Data was analyzed descriptively and through adjusted logistic regression models.ResultsOverall, responses from 335 sexual assault survivors were analyzed. Types of assault experienced included no-contact (97.6%), contact (75.2%), rape attempts (50.2%), rape (44.6%), and multiple rape (19.6%). Many reported perpetrators were South Asian (65.1%) or family members (25.1%). Only 27.6% indicated they had reported assaults to authorities or received services. In adjusted analyses, odds of help seeking were higher among participants who were older (AOR:1.10, 95%CI:1.02–1.20), were a sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual) (1.98, 1.05–3.71), had a family member as the perpetrator (1.85, 1.01–3.40), had lower disclosure stigma (1.66, 1.16–2.44), and experienced depression (2.16, 1.10–4.47). Odds of depression were higher among sexual minority participants and lower among those with higher sexual assault disclosure stigma (3.27, 1.61–7.16; 0.68, 0.50–0.93).ConclusionsFindings call for greater targeted policy interventions to address the prevention of sexual violence among young South Asian Americans and greater focus on improving help seeking behaviors and improving mental health outcomes among survivors.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13489-y.

Knowledge, risk perceptions and practices surrounding chronic inflammatory diseases among first and second generation South Asian immigrants parents and children

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine knowledge and perceptions of risk surrounding chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) and intergenerational development, as well as practices used to acquire CID information among unaffected first- and second-generation South Asian immigrant parents and children in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.Design/methodology/approachFifty-four in-depth interviews with parents and children (18 parents, 36 children) were conducted by trained facilitators, recorded, transcribed and analyzed qualitatively.FindingsFindings reveal that although CIDs disproportionately affect South Asian immigrants, this group has low knowledge and awareness of CID symptoms, risk factors and conditions. Yet when equipped with some knowledge about CIDs, participants linked their increased risk of CIDs to perceived risks in their broader environments such as climate variations, pollution, unhealthy food environments and health system neglect, that although yearning to change these factors, felt unable to modify their risks as factors were beyond their control. Although information is critical to manage CIDs, the findings reveal important and divergent knowledge pathways and practices used among first- and second-generation parents and children, particularly related to health-care settings and academic resources, underscoring generational disparities in knowledge acquisition.Originality/valueThe findings suggest that a multi-sector, multi-tiered approach built around a series of structural interventions, programs and policy changes is needed to address CID knowledge and awareness gaps and entrenched culturally insensitive health care to create more equitable access to healthy, safe and responsive environments and care systems for CID management.

Review of: How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America

How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food Inequality in America joins the ranks of a flourishing sociological scholarship that examines how food is implicated in the (re)production of inequality. Drawing on data from one hundred and sixty interviews with parents and teens and ethnographic participant observations with four racially and economically diverse families living on the US West Coast, Fielding-Singh offers readers her “earnest attempt to expose and explore a largely hidden truth: that parents across society undertake sacrificial, complicated, and frustrating work to feed kids.” The book is a compelling read, in part because Fielding-Singh—a biracial, second-generation South Asian American woman having grown up eating well, but also eating “junk”—chooses to write herself into the story. In the preface she notes, “For a scientist there can be safety in hiding behind a third-person voice and vulnerability in exposing one’s own subjectivity through a first-person narrative.” The author chooses the latter, chronicling the birth of her first child, the way she ate growing up, and her family’s experiences fostering children. Fielding-Singh acknowledges the advantages and limits of her point of view, and in doing so encourages the reader to see her rendering of her reserach participants' lives as thoughtful, and ultimately fair and balanced.

Mapping drivers of second-generation South Asian American eating behaviors using a novel integration of qualitative and social network analysis methods

ABSTRACT This study explores a novel, mixed qualitative method to deconstruct the diet of second-generation South Asian Americans (SAAs). Online interviews of 32 second-generation SAAs were conducted usingintegrated free-listing and mind-mapping. Ranked free-lists were aggregated to identify salient drivers, while connections made within mind-maps were analyzed using social network analysis (SNA) methods. Overall, 34 distinct drivers and 247 unique connections were identified. Taste, family, and health had the highest adjusted rankings, while health displayed the strongest network centrality. Interventions aimed at second-generation SAA dietary behaviors may benefit from family-based or multi-level interventions, which consider the complex, unique dietary norms identified.

Development of an Integrated Approach to Virtual Mind-Mapping: Methodology and Applied Experiences to Enhance Qualitative Health Research.

There is a growing need to better capture comprehensive, nuanced, and multi-faceted qualitative data while also better engaging with participants in data collection, especially in virtual environments. This study describes the development of a novel 3-step approach to virtual mind-mapping that involves (1) ranked free-listing, (2) respondent-driven mind-mapping, and (3) interviewing to enhance both data collection and analysis of complex health behaviors. The method was employed in 32 virtual interviews as part of a study on eating behaviors among second-generation South Asian Americans. Participants noted the mind-mapping experience to be (1) helpful for visual learners, (2) helpful in elucidating new ideas and to structure thoughts, as well as (3) novel and interesting. They also noted some suggestions that included improving interpretability of visual data and avoiding repetition of certain discussion points. Data collection revealed the adaptability of the method, and the power of mind-maps to guide targeted, comprehensive discussions with participants.

Cardiovascular health and subclinical atherosclerosis in second generation South Asian Americans: The MASALA study

We describe cardiovascular health (CVH) in second-generation (U.S.-born) South Asian Americans in the MASALA study, a population for whom CVH is not previously described. CVH factors in second-generation (N = 21) compared with first-generation (N = 495) South Asian Americans included: total cholesterol (199 ± 31 versus 191 ± 35 mg/dL, p = 0.25), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (121 ± 27 versus 115 ± 30 mg/dL, p = 0.41), triglycerides (163 ± 197 versus 138 ± 72 mg/dL, p = 0.10), diet score (66 ± 8 versus 70 ± 6 points, p = 0.06), BMI (27.6 ± 4.9 versus 26.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2, p = 0.12), and CAC prevalence (26.3% versus 23.9%, p = 0.34). Age- and sex-adjusted differences were not statistically significant. Further investigation of CVH in this risk-enhanced population may help identify differences between second-generation and first-generation immigrant South Asians in the U.S.

Exploring the Drivers of Second-Generation South Asian American Eating Behaviors Using a Novel Qualitative Methodology: Virtual Free-Listing Informed Mind-Mapping

Abstract Objectives South Asian Americans (SAAs) face a growing non-communicable disease burden, however the behavioral contributors to health disparities experienced by second-generation South Asians remain under-explored. The aim of this study was to identify major drivers of the foods typically eaten by second-generation SAAs. Methods Between October-November 2020, second-generation SAAs aged 18–29 years old were recruited to conduct virtual video-conferencing-based interviews using a novel qualitative methodology which integrated free-listing and ranking, mind-mapping, and discussion-based exercises. Ranked free-lists were quantitatively analyzed to identify salient drivers of eating behaviors, while the USDA socio-ecological model was used to inform a semi-inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts. A network analysis was conducted by quantifying connections made across participant mind-maps. Results Overall, 32 participants (53% female, 22.4 mean age) were interviewed in the study. Thirty-five distinct eating behavior drivers were identified in the free-listing data; those with the highest saliency scores (unadjusted for ranking) were 1) family, 2) friends, 3) taste, and 4) health; when adjusted for participant rankings, the most impactful drivers were 1) taste, 2) family, 3) health, and 4) friends. In applying the USDA socio-ecological model, individual-level drivers included personal capacity to cook, convenience in accessing certain foods, cost, emotional state, and preferences regarding taste or novelty of non-South Asian foods. Setting-level drivers included specific daily activities (e.g., socializing, working), people (e.g., family, roommates), and places (e.g., workplaces, religious institutions). Notably less sector-level drivers were identified but included interacting with the healthcare sector or social media. Norm-level drivers included South Asian cultural background, religious background, and priorities regarding health and vegetarianism informed by values outside of religion. Conclusions Complex, interconnected, and multi-level drivers were identified motivating second-generation SAAs eating behaviors. Findings highlight the need to distinguish these drivers from first generation SAAs to better design interventions to improve health of second-generation SAAs. Funding Sources N/A.

Attachment Style, Mother Tongue Proficiency and Sociocultural Identity Amongst Second and Third Generation South Asian Immigrants in Hong Kong

This study examined the relationship between attachment style, mother tongue (L1) and dominant language (DL) proficiency, sociocultural identification with the culture of origin, and life satisfaction amongst second-generation and third-generation South Asian immigrants in Hong Kong. Participants included 69 women and 28 men who were permanent residents of South Asian ethnicity, and who had grown up in Hong Kong. The results identified significant associations between attachment insecurity and L1 and DL proficiency, as well as commitment to the origin culture. There was a positive association between life satisfaction and commitment levels to origin culture, indicating that high commitment levels to origin culture tend to coexist with high life satisfaction. This study adds to the existing literature with a focus on language skills, attachment and acculturation in immigrant populations.

Changing the landscape of South Asian migrant health research by advancing second-generation immigrant health needs.

South Asian immigrants confront a growing non-communicable disease burden, a significant issue in countries such as the USA. While efforts have slowly begun to address South Asian migrant health, second-generation communities remain underserved and understudied despite facing many of the same non-communicable disease concerns. The aim of this commentary is to highlight unique health disparities contributing to the current South Asian migrant health status and identify pathways for further formative research needed to inform subsequent development, implementation, and evaluation of health interventions targeting this community. Extant peer-reviewed literature addressing second-generation South Asian health issues was used to identify key research pathways needed to address existing gaps. Specifically, we call for (a) enhancing targeted surveillance and recruitment in research and (b) collecting data to help characterize behavioral and cultural patterns that may contribute to disease onset and progression. Expanding research on second-generation South Asian migrant health may help to develop tailored and targeted interventions.

On Diaspora

This piece of creative writing tells the story of a young man’s desire to express his religious devotion. As a second-generation South Asian migrant he opposes England, the country he grew up in, with India, his motherland, seeing the former as being spiritually bankrupt and the second as being holy. He longs to be reunited with the India of his memories which he recalls with nostalgic fondness. A recent joyous event impels him to return to his ancestral home to show gratitude at the favourable changes in his circumstances which will mean immersing himself in a place he finds at once magical and mystical. When the time comes for his return, however, his expectations are struck down by the stark awareness that the India he hoped and longed for had changed. This invited him to attempt to reconcile the two worlds he belonged to and to bring his spiritual needs, which he had felt unable to express in his everyday existence into the here-and-now.

Culture, Identity, and Walkability: Determining Patterns of Walking Behavior in a High-risk Population ( breakout presentation )

Background Walkability, viewed from a population health intervention perspective, holds enormous promise with research showing that the more walkable a neighbourhood, the healthier its residents. How to harness this across diverse populations and identified harder-to-reach groups is a difficult question from both a social justice and equity perspective. Newcomers to Canada face a special set of barriers to leading physically active lifestyles: despite the known benefits of physical activity, studies show that the physical health of many newcomers declines significantly following their transition into the host country. While there is speculation in the research as to why this is the case – acculturation or loss of protective cultural barriers – there is a dearth of research exploring the everyday links between culture, motivation and utilitarian physical activity? Rundle, in Calgary’s north-east is a community with a significant newcomer presence and a low–mid walkability score, and the site for our research. Aim Our project explores the motivation and barriers to ‘walking for health’ and ‘transportation walking’ among first- and second-generation South Asian Canadians living in Rundle, Calgary. It highlights the interrelationships and interactions that play out between culture, identity, and walkability in determining patterns of walking behavior in a high-risk population. Method Up to 15 participants are involved in this qualitative study. Using “engagement ethnography” this project focuses on day-to-day cultural practices and habits and their impact on the experience of walkability in the SA population in Rundle. ‘Cultural probes’ (cameras, maps, diaries etc.), participant observation, and semi-structured interviews elicit insights from participants on the factors that encourage or discourage the active incorporation of walking in their daily lives. Results/Conclusions This project offers a new kind of access to an often 'hard-to-reach' community. Findings offer insights concerning actual/potential disconnects between big picture data and experiences of certain end-users.

Identity and difference – re-thinking UK South Asian entrepreneurship

PurposeThis paper, which is part of a larger study, aims to discuss from an ethno-cultural perspective, the notion of self-identification and difference pertaining to first and second-generation South Asian male entrepreneurs. In essence, previous studies have not explored this dimension to any sufficient depth. Therefore, evidence is unclear as to how ethno-culture has informed entrepreneurial identity and difference.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a phenomenological research paradigm, 42 semi-structured interviews were conducted with first- and second-generation Sikh and Pakistani Muslim male entrepreneurs in Greater London. A typology of second-generation entrepreneurs is developed and a research agenda proposed.FindingsFirst-generation respondents regard the UK as home and do not suffer from shifts in identity. These particular respondents identify themselves as Sikh or Pakistani Muslim or a Businessman. However, the second-generation identify themselves via three distinct labels. Here respondents stress their ethnicity by using Hyphenated British identities or hide their ethnicity behind the term a Normal Businessman, or appear opportunists by using ethnicity as a resource to espouse a true entrepreneurial identity.Research limitations/implicationsThe research environment within the Greater London area where the respondents are located may not be as generalisable when compared with other parts of the UK.Originality/valueThis paper offers a unique insight into self-prescribed identity and difference noted among London’s ethnic entrepreneurs.

The Generation Game: Parenting and Child Outcomes in Second-Generation South Asian Immigrant Families in Britain

Despite much research being conducted around identity and acculturation, immigrant groups are often collectively considered according to ethnicity with broad policy recommendations applied to them. The role of generational status is frequently ignored. This article reveals findings from an in-depth interview and questionnaire-based assessment of parenting quality and parent–child relationships, child psychological adjustment, and contextual factors in 90 second-generation Indian, Pakistani, and White British mothers with 5- to 7-year-old children living in minority dense urban areas of the United Kingdom. The analysis aimed to understand second-generation parenting in more depth and to explore similarities and differences between the three British-born groups. Standardized interviews and questionnaires were used to quantitatively measure parenting and child adjustment across a number of constructs. The study found positive levels of child adjustment across all groups. Similarities were found between family types for some aspects of parenting quality. Identified differences were generally reflected between the Pakistani and White mothers, with the Indian mothers lying between the two, including child supervision and discipline, levels of religiousness, and ethnic identity (all higher in the Pakistani group). The current findings relating to second-generation mothers and their children did not support the negative assumptions which are often associated with ethnic minority families. The findings also increase understanding of effective parenting processes across different ethnic groups.

Shifting Sexual Boundaries: Ethnicity and Pre-marital Sex in the Lives of South Asian American Women

Immigrants and their children engage in several forms of boundary making as a means of developing a sense of belonging in America. Second-generation Americans are at the crossroads between meeting their parents’ cultural expectations and selecting new ethnic options that may conflict with ancestral traditions. Women’s sexuality has often been a site for contesting and conforming to ethnic boundaries. This article examines a case study of second-generation South Asian American adult women’s pre-marital sexual behavior to understand how cultural expectations about sex shapes the ways in which they construct ethnic boundaries. Much of the literature on women’s sexuality in immigrant communities in America has focused on married women or constraints placed on women’s virginity. This study highlights a nuanced perspective for understanding how migration to the U.S. creates cultural shifts in ethnic communities by examining how the American born daughters of immigrants define their ethnicity through their pre-marital sexual encounters.

Reading Together, Reading Apart: Identity, Belonging, and South Asian American Community

Reading Together, Reading Apart: Identity, Belonging, and South Asian American Community

An outsider’s inside view of ethnic entrepreneurship

Purpose This paper aims to critically reflect upon the qualitative research strategy adopted by an outsider investigating business practices between first and second-generation South Asian entrepreneurs. The paper presents, explains and justifies the methodological design and outsider strategy used to help overcome a number of operational research issues. In addition, for those considering the use of qualitative methodology for similar research, practical advice is offered to researchers whom do not share the same ethnicity as the informants under investigation. Design/methodology/approach To implement an outsider strategy, the methodological design draws its theoretical underpinning via a phenomenological paradigm. Issues appertaining to sample design, negotiating access, adopted research instruments are examined, and their uses to overcome potential operational issues justified. Findings The complexities, difficulties and successes of an outsider looking in are highlighted. Evident is the impact of personal and structural power relations between researcher and interviewee, as well as potential research problems as a result thereof. The paper stresses the need to ensure the preservation of researcher integrity, credibility and confidentiality, as he/she will encounter situations wherein he/she will be tested to the fullest. Research limitations/implications The research environment within the Greater London area where the respondents are located may not be as generalisable when compared with other parts of the UK and ethnic entrepreneurs therein. Originality/value The paper presents an evaluation of a qualitative research strategy used by an outsider to gain an inside view of ethnic entrepreneurship.