Ethnic Identification : Capital and Distinction among Second-Generation British Indians

Pradhan, Anuja and Cocker, Hayley Louise and Hogg, Margaret Kathleen (2019) Ethnic Identification : Capital and Distinction among Second-Generation British Indians. In: Performing identity – How British Asians acquire subcultural capital, build social capital, and gain distinction through Bollywood, music and dance :. Consumer Culture Theory . Emerald Group Publishing Ltd., DNK, pp. 85-101. ISBN 9781787542860

Abstract

Purpose: This chapter seeks to understand ethnic identification among second-generation consumers by drawing upon the lived experiences of British Indian migrants in England. Methodology/Approach: The authors analyze interviews with middle-class, Hindu, second-generation British Indian women through Bourdieu’s key concepts of capital, field, habitus, and distinction. Findings: Through resources such as Bollywood cinema, and Indian schools for language, music, and dance, second-generation consumers acquire, use and (re) produce situationally prized subcultural capital for distinction from other ethnic consumers and members of the white majority group. Ethnicity is central to second-generation consumers’ identity projects, and their everyday social interactions. Ethnicity is considered in uplifting and empowering terms, and first-generation consumers play a key role in reinforcing this belief. Research Limitations/Implications: Due to our small sample size, limited by class, religion, and gender, the findings of this chapter might not be gen-eralizable to the wider population. Instead, they can be used to develop new theoretical ways of understanding ethnicity in multicultural settings with long-established migrant populations. Social Implications: Ethnicity can play a central and positive role in the everyday lives of second-generation consumers. By investigating this further, we can improve our understanding of contemporary, multicultural societies. Originality/Value of Paper: Prior work in consumer research has focused on understanding first-generation migrant consumers through the lens of acculturation, and foregrounding experiences of stigma and tension. Instead, the authors foreground the positive and uplifting lived experiences of second-generation consumers in relation to their ethnicity. This chapter extends the literature on second-generation ethnic consumer identity work.