"What's So 'Identity' About That Word?".

Abstract

The self-perceptions and experiences of men who are 'afakasi, or half-caste, were explored as part of a qualitative project undertaken by a pãlagi/Pasifika research team. For most of the eight men who took part, the focus group discussions for this project provided their first opportunity to talk with others about their experiences of being 'afakasi. Themes that emerged included the influence of formative experiences within their families, including an early awareness of difference; the significance of language and languaging; the quantification of blood in discourses regarding ethnic identity; connectedness and belonging; the influence of multiple contexts; identity confusion; and creating metaphors to stabilise identity as 'afakasi men move between worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)