Integrating Canadian youth: immigrants' multicultural rights
| dc.contributor.author | Kaufmann, Lily | |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Anderson, Kjell (Law) | en_US |
| dc.contributor.examiningcommittee | Bonnycastle, Marleny (Social Work) | en_US |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Gaucher, Danielle (Psychology) | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-05-05T14:05:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-05-05T14:05:19Z | |
| dc.date.copyright | 2021-05-02 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-04 | en_US |
| dc.date.submitted | 2021-03-26T16:11:23Z | en_US |
| dc.date.submitted | 2021-05-02T17:44:47Z | en_US |
| dc.degree.discipline | Law | en_US |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Human Rights (M.H.R.) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Although multiculturalism is a nationally accepted Canadian value, immigrants’ rights to cultural expression and social participation are not always respected, as demonstrated by the persistence of ethnocultural discrimination and public resistance to changing Canadian demographics and values. This thesis examines the state of multicultural acceptance through the lens of youth integration. The promotion of integration, in which immigrants are encouraged to share and maintain their traditions, values, and culture, aligns with the promotion of multicultural rights and the federal governments’ responsibilities as per Canada’s Multiculturalism Act. Specifically, this thesis examines the integration of immigrant and non-immigrant youth through a systematic literature review and a survey of youth perspectives; the results are analyzed in the context of Canada’s multicultural responsibilities. The findings of the literature review indicate that, overall, immigrant and refugee youth are integrating well into Canadian society despite systemic and interpersonal discrimination. Youth report high levels of academic achievement, relatively good mental health, and diverse social circles. The existing research could be expanded by the addition of non-immigrant perspectives, as non-immigrant Canadians are also experiencing cultural change and may benefit from acculturation support and/or prejudice reduction programs. To address this gap in the literature, the Immigration in Canada: Youth Perspectives survey was created. The survey investigates youths’ intergroup relations, feelings of belonging, perceptions of diversity, and support for immigration. The study concluded that youth have frequent and friendly intergroup contact. Intergroup contact predicted feelings of belonging and positive intergroup relations. While youth were more supportive of immigration than Canadian adults, perceptions of diversity in Canada and relying on the news for immigration-related information predicted lower support for immigration. The results of this thesis suggest that interventions based on intergroup contact and intergroup friendship formation have the potential to increase belonging and comfort in multicultural communities. Furthermore, schools are excellent environments to promote both integration and multicultural rights, through including different cultures in the curriculum, encouraging multicultural respect in the classroom, and creating the opportunity for intergroup friendship formation through community partnerships and extra-curricular activities. | en_US |
| dc.description.note | May 2021 | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/35489 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | en_US |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.subject | Canada | en_US |
| dc.subject | Youth Integration | en_US |
| dc.subject | Immigration | en_US |
| dc.subject | Multiculturalism | en_US |
| dc.subject | Cultural Rights | en_US |
| dc.subject | Intergroup contact | en_US |
| dc.title | Integrating Canadian youth: immigrants' multicultural rights | en_US |
| dc.type | master thesis | en_US |