Ethnic identity and gender among teenagers of Morrocan origin

Abstract

In this article we systematize some factors conditioning the ethnic identity construction of young Moroccans immigrants in Spain, specifically the conditions under which ethnicity can be activated as an individual resource in the receptor society for affirming and maintaining self-esteem, fighting against racism and discrimination, or gaining acceptance as an ethnic group. The mentioned factors are grouped in various headlines —the «others» groups of reference, the effect of Islamic religion and the parental efforts to preserve the cultural heritance on their children—, although their effect upon our study subject is not independent of the rest of them.