Ethnic Group Contacts and Status Dilemma

• Published in: Phylon 1954-09, Vol.15 (3), p.267-275
• Main Author: Ross, Aileen D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Children; Communities; Demographic Change; Ethnic groups; Ethnic Relations; Ethnolinguistic Groups; Marginality; Middle class; Population dynamics; Prestige; Protestantism; Quebec; Social Inequality; Stereotypes; Towns; Villages
• ISSN: 0885-6818; 0031-8906; 2325-7199
• DOI: 10.2307/272816

An analysis of inter-group problems involved in pop changes occurring in the Eastern Townships of the province of Quebec, Canada: Discussion is in terms of the status system that has developed as two groups, English and French speaking Canadians, have come into contact. It is felt that the struggle for recognition is an ehtnic struggle and that status is largely ascribed in terms of ethnic background. A pop change in the ethnic groups accompanied industrialization of the province. The pop in the Eastern Townships changed from English to French speaking Canadians. The poor French Canadians are from the isolated Ru county of Beauce, and come to work as unskilled labor in newly established industries. The English Canadians are more educated, hold better jobs, and occupy superior position in the status system which developed. AntiFrench stereotypes have developed. Since the in-coming French are poor, several families often share the expense of a home. This results in greater crowding and noisiness than previously. The English attribute this to their being French rather than to poverty. The English feel their communities are being lowered in prestige, and tend to move out. The remaining English become more and more isolated, and face the dilemma of remaining in a situation where opportunities of leadership and career channels are closing, or assimilating to what they consider an inferior group. Previously, the few French who came to the area were of the Mc and quite readily accepted. The change over in pop raises problems for the established French families. Many of them have become at least partially assimilated to the English group. If they expect to remain, they must become re-assimilated to their own group to maintain positions of leadership. Re-identification becomes difficult, especially for those who have acquired the English stereotype of the inferiority of the typical French Canadian. Thus, with the changing pop, many Mc French Canadians find themselves in marginal positions. They are now not wholly accepted or understood by either the French or the English Canadians. Norms for behavior are not clear. Sometimes they occupy positions as go-betweens for both groups but tend to be in a precarious position because they are not completely trusted by either group. S. R. Sherwood.