SELF, ETHNICITY, AND SOCIAL GROUP MEMBERSHIPS IN 2 GENERATIONS OF ITALIAN CANADIANS

Ethnic identity in the context of social category memberships was exam ined in two generations of Italian Canadians. Ratings based on perceiv ed value similarity between a number of categories (self, Canadians, I talians, immigrants, religion, family, friends, social class, age, and Americans) were made by 57 second-generation Italian Canadians and on e parent of each. Multidimensional scaling analyses revealed a general distinction between Old World and New World values. First-generation self-identity was manifested in a distinct cluster including family, f riends, and immigrants. The configuration for the second generation su ggested a bicultural orientation, congruent with additional data on It alian language use across situations. The cross-generational transform ation of ethnicity within a system of social categorizations is discus sed.