Walking Between Two Worlds: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Identity and Belonging Through the Brown Eyes of a Young African Woman in New Zealand

Abstract

In many first world countries, like New Zealand, an increasing number of African immigrants are migrating to New Zealand for work opportunities, educational opportunities and for a better future. Many families arrive with young children who are then raised to uphold their cultural beliefs and practices, while also integrating into New Zealand society. This study aims to explore the way young African women who have been raised in New Zealand, find their identity and sense of belonging while navigating between their culture of origins expectations and New Zealand society.

Previous research on migrant identities has largely focused on adults and how they adjust to life in a new country. In contrast to existing literature on migrant identities, which has tended to focus on the identity shift experienced by adult transnational migrants, this reveals the particular challenges faced by young African women migrants who have experienced the challenges of forming an identity in New Zealand society through their own perception of their identity as well as the expectations of society.

Arising questions for the study are (i) ways in which young African women construct their identity and sense of belonging in New Zealand society and (ii) the major stressors that young African women face while navigating between both their culture of origin and New Zeeland society, and how this affects their identity.

Theoretically, much of this work has been based on Berry’s theory of acculturation (Sam & Berry, 2006) and Phinney’s ethnic identity development approach (Phinney, 1991). An Afrocentric framework adopted by Tuwe (2018) was also used during the interview process that encourages African women to define their identity through an African lens according to their authentic cultural values and traditions and encourages storytelling.

The research found that participants take values and morals from both cultures and society to form their identity within New Zealand society, while also experiencing challenges such as racism and discrimination, family and community expectations and gender bias which can affect their identity construction, sense of belonging.