The inclusion of immigrants in Canada: An examination of social markers of acceptance.

Although Canada is an immigrant-receiving nation, limited research has examined the key attributes that Canadian citizens consider important for immigrants to be accepted and included in the nation. According to the social markers of acceptance (SMA) framework, host citizens may require immigrants to demonstrate certain traits in order to consider and accept them as naturalized citizens. Correspondingly, requiring a low number of SMA from immigrants is an indication of inclusivity, whereas imposing more markers is a signal of exclusivity (Leong, International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 2014, 38, 120). The current article examines views of White, multigeneration Canadian university students toward immigrants. In Study 1, four focus groups (n = 20) were conducted, which led to eight culture-specific SMA. In Study 2, an online questionnaire (n = 264) was administered, and the results demonstrated that only 9 of 47 total SMA were deemed important to becoming Canadian. Exploratory factor analyses indicated a three-factor model of SMA importance: Ethnic Markers, Civic Markers, and Socioeconomic Achievement. Perceived symbolic threat, perceived realistic threat, preference for immigrants to preserve their heritage culture, and preference for immigrants to adopt Canadian culture impacted endorsement of SMA. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research