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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
The Critical Role of Cultural Identity and the Use of ‘Safe Cultural Spaces’ as a Model of Care for Ethnic Youth: A Case Example in Youth with African Heritage Living in Aotearoa—New Zealand
Youth, Vol.5(3), pp.1-19
10/07/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
This article discusses the importance of cultural identity for ethnic youth, considering the challenges they face as migrants or from migrant backgrounds. It then develops the idea of using safe cultural spaces as a culturally responsive model of care for these youth. The data used are drawn from a qualitative study with 35 African heritage youth living in Aotearoa–New Zealand as participants. The study was guided by participatory action research (PAR) methodology principles. Data was collected using research workshops (adaption of focus groups) and qualitative survey questionnaires. PAR’s transformative lens, narrative inquiry, and inductive thematic analysis were used to identify and analyse the reported themes. Findings show that ethnic youth value their cultural identities primarily because, in the context of migration, where they constantly navigate multiple levels of social exclusion and marginality, it confers a sense of personhood, uniqueness, and belonging. However, trying to live their multiple cultures authentically presents many challenges. Accordingly, intentional initiatives that are culturally responsive and holistic are critical to support them in navigating this process healthily. Creating safe cultural spaces is proposed as a model of care. The article reports and discusses youth perspectives on what these spaces and the model of care would entail.
Details
- Title
- The Critical Role of Cultural Identity and the Use of ‘Safe Cultural Spaces’ as a Model of Care for Ethnic Youth: A Case Example in Youth with African Heritage Living in Aotearoa—New Zealand
- Creators
- Irene Ayallo - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Youth, Vol.5(3), pp.1-19
- Publisher
- MDPI; BASEL
- Grant note
- This research was funded by Unitec New Zealand under the 2023 Early Career Researcher Funding Project.
- Identifiers
- 991013296607102368
- Copyright
- © 2025 by the author.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article