Hmm...issues drawing on my own (and family member's) experiences:
1. Is there an option for unknowns (since I'd check English, but the rest of my ancestry is unknown to me)?
2. Probably make an option for people with dual citizenships. Or maybe talk about the nation or nations of cultural identification.
3. Up to what age would you consider childhood? My mother's family immigrated when the children were between 10-14 years of age. Also, how would you classfy someone who came as an adult, but not on an assignment, but who isn't necessarily seeking citizenship? Also, for the citizenship question, are you looking for a question of permanent residence, or actual citizenship, which are different things. Or well, do you assume that all people who have permanent residence would choose to become citizens if the option were viable?
4. Not sure how to address this question, but it's valid. Maybe "visually, do others perceive you to be of western/northern European descent?"
5. This one completely bothers me. Hmm... who is your target for this study? Can you reasonably assume that they'll be aware of or agree with the concept of discrimination as a structural thing, even if you could make the idea of discrimination as being structured completely clear to respondents? Plus, how does one measure discrimination except through subjective reporting especially where it concerns internalized attitudes? What about discrimination that's not based on skin color? (I think that's what you were asking in question five, but unless you were willing to ask for similar questions for all facets of identity, not just race. And even then, there's still the global juggernaut of whiteness).
no subject
Date: 15 May 2010 07:04 pm (UTC)1. Is there an option for unknowns (since I'd check English, but the rest of my ancestry is unknown to me)?
2. Probably make an option for people with dual citizenships. Or maybe talk about the nation or nations of cultural identification.
3. Up to what age would you consider childhood? My mother's family immigrated when the children were between 10-14 years of age. Also, how would you classfy someone who came as an adult, but not on an assignment, but who isn't necessarily seeking citizenship? Also, for the citizenship question, are you looking for a question of permanent residence, or actual citizenship, which are different things. Or well, do you assume that all people who have permanent residence would choose to become citizens if the option were viable?
4. Not sure how to address this question, but it's valid. Maybe "visually, do others perceive you to be of western/northern European descent?"
5. This one completely bothers me. Hmm... who is your target for this study? Can you reasonably assume that they'll be aware of or agree with the concept of discrimination as a structural thing, even if you could make the idea of discrimination as being structured completely clear to respondents? Plus, how does one measure discrimination except through subjective reporting especially where it concerns internalized attitudes? What about discrimination that's not based on skin color? (I think that's what you were asking in question five, but unless you were willing to ask for similar questions for all facets of identity, not just race. And even then, there's still the global juggernaut of whiteness).