Understanding multiethnic and multiracial experiences globally: towards a conceptual framework of mixedness

Abstract

This special issue brings together nine articles on the experiences of multiracial and multiethnic individuals from nine different countries across the globethe United Kingdom,

Where identities converge: The importance of intersectionality in eating disorders research

“…It has yet to integrate a more holistic conceptualization of identities as multiple layers of experience that are informed and shaped by one another in a dynamic process. Moving forward, research should move away from categorical conceptualizations to better capture the nuances of identity as some identities may be more/less visible or salient in different contexts or at different times (Törngren, Irastorza, & Rodríguez‐García, 2019). For example, the heightened risk for ED conferred by higher weight among individuals identifying as female may be modulated by concurrent identities such as sexual orientation or age, and the degree to which these dimensions are salient across development and social contexts may vary.…”

“…Importantly, intersectional approaches recognize concurrent membership to different groups. Thus, for example, given the global population increase of multiracial/multiethnic individuals and of those identifying as multiracial/multiethnic, burgeoning conceptual frameworks of majority and minority identity “mixedness” can inform future research (Törngren et al, 2019), and be extended to consider other facets of identity.…”

Conflict of multiracial to nationality decision making using exploratory factor analysis: Multiracial Thai-Japanese in Thailand

“…Asako Kajiura (2008) proposed that the push and pull factors of Japanese migrants fall within 4 broad categories, being: economic conditions education cultural change social structure change It is clear that the perspective of the international community requires the integration of a country's own system, governance system, social system, and individual cooperation (Renn, 2008). Furthermore, the definition of 'mixedness society' is to be adjusted to cross-disciplinary research because it is impractical for a person to choose their identities easily, flexibly in the equal rights and context situations (Törngren, 2019). In 1990, multiracial status became an important issue in the US Government.…”

Othering mechanisms and multiple positionings: Children of Thai-Belgian couples as viewed in Thailand and Belgium

“…The present article tackles these questions through a case study of children of "mixed" parentage, specifically the offspring of Thai-Belgian couples. The qualifier "mixed" here stems from the emerging scholarship on "mixedness" (see Collet 2015;Rodríguez-García 2016;Spickard 1989;Varro 2003), notably from the literature about "individuals of mixed descent, across national, racial, ethnocultural or religious boundaries" (Törngren et al 2019). It denotes a combination of socially constructed categories of differences including nationality, ethnicity, and family belonging.…”

“…The few existing studies on mixed couples' children mainly delve on identity constructions, linguistic issues, and social "Othering" (Dumanescu 2015;Kamada 2010;Unterreiner 2015;Rocha & Fozdar 2017;Sedmak 2012). These works form part of the larger literature on mixed-parentage children, who have been the object of scholarly investigations in multiethnic societies in Asia, Europe, and North/South America (see Edwards et al 2012;King-O'Riain et al 2014;Rocha & Fozdar 2017;Törngren et al 2019). In many cases, the experiences of mixed couples' children are viewed from the vantage point of their societies of residence, that is, their experiences are considered as taking place only within the political boundaries of these societies.…”