Book

Ethnicity in the sunbelt: Italian American migrants in Scottsdale, Arizona

AMS PressNew York • Published In 1989 • Pages: xix, 361

By: Martinelli, Phylis Cancilla.

Abstract
According to Martinelli a major issue in ethnic studies is whether descendants of European immigrants have a strong sense of ethnic identity or if members of these groups are close to total assimilation into the culture of the host society. To test the validity of this issue Martinelli examines a group of Italian American migrants to Scottsdale, Arizona; a place far removed from contact with any traditional ethnic enclave. A number of scales were used in conjunction with a selected set of variables to test for evidence of ethnicity. The scales used were the Italian American Family Attitude scale, Identificational Ethnic scale, Cultural Ethnicity scale, National Ethnic scale, Structural Behavior Ethnicity scale, Religious Ethnicity scale, and the Food, Language and Music scale. The variables were generation, birth cohort, occupation, education, sex, length of time in Arizona, being married endogamously or exogamously, and being raised in a city with a major Italian American population or raised elsewhere (p. xix). Martinelli's findings indicate "…a lack of significant differences among many of the variables some, for example generation, showed some evidence of declining ethnicity. A fairly cohesive set of attitudes, behavior, and feelings was found among the generally upwardly mobile, middle-class respondents. The majority of the respondents were in the moderate ethnicity category, determined by testing McKay and Lewins' ethnic typology, and were characterized by an emergent ethnicity, termed symbolic ethnicity. It appears that ethnicity still has some salience for the respondents in this study" (pp. xix-xx).
Subjects
Reviews and critiques
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Interviewing in research
Tests and schedules administered in the field
Organization and analysis of results of research
Cultural identity and pride
Labor supply and employment
Age stratification
Ethnic stratification
Regulation of marriage
Education system
Liberal arts education
culture
Italian Americans
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
North America
Sub Region
Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Sociologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1999
Field Date
1982-1983
Coverage Date
1860-1980s
Coverage Place
Scottsdale, Ariz., United States
Notes
Phylis Cancilla Martinelli
Includes bibliographical references (p. 260-283) and index
LCSH
Italian Americans