Multiculturalism: An antidote to racism or untouched inequalities? A comparative study of second-generation Jamaicans and second-generation Portuguese in Toronto

Esra Ari

doi:10.25071/1929-8471.50

Authors

Esra Ari University of Western Ontario

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1929-8471.50

Keywords:

second-generation immigrants, integration, multiculturalism, segmented assimilation

Abstract

This research examines the effects of “race” and “class” on the economic and social integration of second-generation Jamaicans (n=23) and Portuguese (n=20) in Canada. This qualitative study uses interview data to compare the role of multiculturalism in the integration of two second-generation immigrant groups. I find that the integration of these two groups differs based on their visible minority status and their social class. These results are important to develop policies for the integration of racialized native-born youth into a multiethnic society.

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