Greek Identity in Second-Generation Montrealers

Abstract

This qualitative exploratory social work study on Greek identity in second-generation Greek Montrealer’s is based on four interviews; two with men and two with women. The emerging themes of parenting, religion, Koinotita (Greek community) politics, language, family tradition and gender issues were identified as central to the development of Greek identity. The findings suggest that the themes that give positive meaning to Greek identity in the second generation may also have a negative impact. Both men and women tend to ward more egalitarian gender roles than their immigrant parents and are struggling with feminine and masculine identity issues. Despite the differences between first and second generation, the second generation tends to develop and assert their distinct Greek identity directly through the distillation of their contextual experiences in Montreal. An interactional model of “self” in the second generation is presented and implications of this and the findings for social workers are explored.