The City and the subcommunity: the Chinese of Calgary
Abstract
The thesis examines the Chinese of Calgary as an ethnic and status community. They form a subcommunity within the larger community of Calgary. The theory of ethnic and status community as developed by Max Weber, R. M. Maclver, Don Martindale and other sociologists was employed in this inquiry. Data were obtained from libraries and archives, interviews, observation, and by means of a self-administered questionnaire . Historical data supported the hypothesis that the formation of an ethnic community within the host community is a result of two distinct processes: (1) the permission given to the alien to enter the host community but, at the same time, denying him access to certain major values of the host community, and (2) the establishment of a separate social and cultural identity because of the peculiarity of his culture and institutions. However, once the ethnic community is formed, its continuation depends on several factors, such as the availability of ethnic organizations, social climate, and the qualities of the alien culture. Findings revealed that the Chinese of Calgary form an ethnic and status community within the larger community of Calgary. The Chinese retain their customs, language, feasts, and festivals, institutions, and organizations; they interact more with other Chinese than with non-Chinese; they overwhelmingly choose Chinese organizations in which they participate. As such they form a subcommunity maintaining their distinct ethnic identity. During the process of ethnic community formation, some specific status differences among the Chinese became crystalized. Wealth, power, and esteem are monopolized by a few. The Chinese community has developed its typical avenues for attaining power and esteem, within their own as well as the host community.
Description
Bibliography: p. 147-151.
Keywords
Citation
Baureiss, G. A. (1971). The City and the subcommunity: the Chinese of Calgary (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/11557