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A qualitative study exploring ethnic youth experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities: a case example with African heritage youth living in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A qualitative study exploring ethnic youth experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities: a case example with African heritage youth living in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Irene Ayallo and Ali Rasheed
Kōtuitui : New Zealand journal of social sciences online, Vol.20(4), pp.507-527
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1177083X.2024.2382394
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract

Ethnic youth African migrant youth Migration and cultural identity Action research with ethnic migrants Ethnic migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand Migration Sociology of migration, ethnicity and multiculturalism Social work not elsewhere classified Migrant and refugee settlement services Youth services Multicultural services
This article discusses the challenges that African heritage youthFootnote1 face as they navigate their African-ness and Kiwi-ness in the Aotearoa/New Zealand context. Data were drawn from a qualitative study guided by participatory action research (PAR) methodology principles exploring the opportunities and challenges these youth face while navigating their multiple cultural identities. The study used research workshops and anonymous qualitative questionnaire surveys to engage with 35 youth from African communities. PAR’s transformative lens, narrative inquiry, and inductive thematic analysis were used to identify the challenges reported in this paper. Findings show that cultural identity confers a sense of personhood and belonging. African heritage youth born or migrated to Aotearoa/New Zealand at a young age have a strong desire to express and authentically live their African-ness, Kiwi-ness, and other cultural identities. However, this is challenged by the personal, community, and societal factors explained in this paper. The findings of this research contribute towards a greater understanding of the threats to well-being linked to cultural identity construction among African youth in Aotearoa. It also makes a methodological contribution, demonstrating a transformative approach to engaging marginalized or minority groups in a research process that validates their experiences and empowers them.

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