Kollektiv etnisk identitet som en central faktor i reproduceringen av socialt kapital inom etniska institutioner.
Ethnic identityMaintenanceSocial capitalEthnic institutionReproductionEtnisk identitetUpprätthållandeSocialt kapitalEtnisk institutionReproducering
The purpose of this study is to first investigate how a group of Syriac women participating in the Syriac/Aramaic Academics Association (SAAF ? Syrianska/Arameiska Akademikerförbundet) at a Swedish university perceive their ethnic identity, and maintain it in the mainstream Swedish society. Furthermore, it considers whether SAAF as an ethnic institution provides an arena for the reproduction of social capital in interaction with the women's families. This study is based on previous research and theories of ethnic identity and its role in the building of social capital within so-called ethnic groups. The method used for this study involves qualitative interviews, to achieve its aims. The study results show that the ethnic identity can be understood as a combination of both non-instrumental (the own understanding of it) and strategic aspects (history, language, etc). Biological aspects based on the women?s parents? ethnic identity are also emphasized. The study also shows that the respondents? ethnic identity is strongly influenced by the common identity within their nuclear families, which also helps to maintain its existence. The common religious belief also plays a central role in maintaining the different norms, values and traditions that are associated with Syriac ethnic identity. However, other forms of informal and institutional social interaction such as SAAF also help to emphasize a sense of shared ethnic identity. Furthermore, this study shows that both the family and SAAF are important arenas for the reproduction of social capital through the encouragement of the individuals? cultural and economic capital. However, reproduction requires a series of rites that transform objective membership relations to subjective ones, by creating friendships in SAAF:s case. The study concludes with a discussion where connections are made to previous researches that highlight a combined definition of ethnic identity. It also discusses the importance of taking into account various factors that may affect individuals' views on the reproduction of social capital in different contexts. Furthermore, suggestions for future research based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, in a larger geographical approach are presented.