Journal Article

Ethnic hierarchies among pupils in Slovenia: Their ethnic belonging matters

Mlinar, Karmen, Peček, Mojca

2023

Overview

Ethnic hierarchies, that is, hierarchical representations of ethnic groups, are typical for multiethnic societies. However, little is known about whether pupils elicit such hierarchies and whether these hierarchies vary with respect to the pupils’ ethnicity. This awareness may shed light on whether and to what extent pupils perceive particular ethnic groups as culturally deviant. The current study therefore aimed to investigate whether pupils ( n  = 812, aged 9–14 years) from six ethnic groups living in Slovenia (Slovenes, Hungarians, Roma, Serbs, Albanians, and Bosniaks) display ethnic hierarchies, share intergroup consensus, and exhibit ethnic homophily. To this end, a Mokken scale analysis was conducted. The analysis revealed ethnic hierarchies for five ethnic groups, namely Slovenes, Hungarians, Roma, Serbs, and Bosniaks. Four of them, the Slovenes, Bosniaks, Serbs, and Roma, exhibited ethnic homophily. There was no intergroup consensus on ethnic hierarchies. Based on the findings, implications for teachers are discussed, namely, how to develop, improve, and adapt curricula and pedagogical practices with an eye toward progressively reducing hierarchies and developing respect for each ethnic group.

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Analysis / Cultural Differences / Cultural Pluralism / Curriculum Development / Education / Educational Improvement / Educational psychology / Elementary Secondary Education / Ethnic Groups / Foreign Countries / Intergroup Relations / Minority & ethnic groups / Minority Group Students / Minority Groups / Minority students / Personality and Social Psychology / Romanies / Social Bias / Social psychology / Sociology of Education / Student Attitudes / Student Characteristics / Teaching Methods