Ethnic Identity in Late Modern Times: A Response to Rattansi and Phoenix

Abstract

In this article, I review the postmodern critique of ethnic identity research presented by Rattansi and Phoenix (1997). Existing research has been criticized for not recognizing the fluid, dynamic quality of ethnic identity. Current developmental approaches, however, emphasize that ethnic identity is a self-constructed understanding of oneself in terms of one's ethnic group membership that changes in response to developmental and contextual factors. Young people, to varying degrees, explore and make commitments regarding their ethnicity. In spite of changes over time and context, a secure ethnic identity can provide ethnic group members with a stable sense of belonging that contributes to psychological well-being.