Transformations in Māori Women's Identity

Some Things Change, Some Stay the Same

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12733352
AutoresCarla Houkamau (0000-0002-3449-3726, University of Auckland, autor correspondente)
Ano2011
Volume8
Fascículo3
Páginas292-313
Data de publicação2011-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoQualitative Research in Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1478-0887 • E-ISSN: 1478-0895
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14780880903304501
OpenAlexW2061870538
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas46

While Māori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) retain a strong collective identity, cultural heterogeneity renders traditional conceptualisations of Māori identity increasingly problematic. To demonstrate the diverse ways Māori define and express their own identities, this article reports research that uses life-story interviews to explore personal perceptions of identity among 35 Māori women ages 18–75. Content analysis revealed traditional cultural factors (particularly whānau/family commitment) were important for identity among all participants, although the expression of these factors differed along with age and background. Older women raised in rural communities expressed family commitment through participating in social and economic activities within their own tribal networks. Younger, urbanised Māori expressed their identities by choosing careers which advanced Māori interests, supporting Māori political aspirations, and forming close relationships with other urban Māori. Life-story excerpts are used to illustrate distinct intergenerational differences in expressions of Māori identity as well as descriptions of “Māoriness,” seldom articulated in literature on the topic. The need to expand current paradigms of Māori identity to incorporate the diversity of group members is emphasised

Aesthetics · Cultural identity · Diversity (politics · Expression (computer science · Identity (music · Indigenous · Perception · Political science · Politics · Social group · Social identity theory · Sociology · Anthropology · Gender Studies · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Psychology · Social Psychology · Youth Education and Societal Dynamics