What is ethnicity in sociology

Different approaches have been used by different social scientists to attempt to understand the nature of ethnicity as a factor in human life and society. Examples of such approaches include primordialism, perennialism, constructivism, modernism, and instrumentalism. Ethnicity, while related to race, refers not to physical characteristics but social traits that are shared by a human population.

Some of the social traits often used for ethnic classification include nationality, religious faith and a shared language and culture. Like race, the term ethnicity is difficult to describe and its meaning has changed over time.

And like race, individuals may be identified or self-identify to ethnicities in complex, even contradictory, ways. These examples illustrate the complexity and overlap of these identifying terms. Ethnicity, like race, continues to be an identification method that individuals and institutions use today—whether through the census, affirmative action initiatives, non-discrimination laws, or simply in personal day-to-day relations.

Modern meets Traditional The women above are wearing an interesting fusion of modern and ethnic clothing. Source: Boundless. Retrieved 24 Feb. It is what connects them to the French colonists who first settled Canada in the s and what distinguishes them from English Canadians, Scottish Canadians, and Irish Canadians. Other aspects of culture, such as religion, are less significant when it comes to defining who is and is not French Canadian.

In contrast, religion is an essential part of ethnic identity for groups such as the Jews. Unlike French Canadians, Jews do not define themselves based on a single shared language. In fact, Jewish communities throughout the world have developed a variety of different languages, including Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino Judeo-Spanish , Judeo-Arabic, and Judeo-Aramaic not to mention the many Jews who speak English, French, German, or any other of the world's many languages.

Because ethnic groups are self-defined, it is important to remember that no single aspect of group identity language, religion, etc. Unlike ethnicity, race is based on physical traits that are inherited, such as skin color and facial features.

Racial categories are broader than ethnic categories. Today, for example, the U. Modern scientists regard race as a social construct, and racial categories, like ethnic categories, have changed over time. Because ethnicity is more of a cultural practice than a science, you probably grew up understanding your own ethnicity in a way that tests will never be able to measure. The food you ate, the traditions you practiced, and the language s you spoke are all essential aspects of your ethnic identity.

If you are interested in learning more about your exact ancestry, you can do so using a variety of DNA testing services. Examining DNA can reveal information about a person's ancestry and ethnic background. While the principles of DNA testing are sound, the private companies that offer this service through home-testing kits have been criticized for their methodologies.

Since each company uses a different database of genetic information, Krimsky says the tests can only give an indication of probabilities:. The popularity of DNA testing for ancestry has also generated concerns about data privacy. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads.

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