Experiencing Everyday Prejudice of a Concealabe Stigma: Jews in a non-Jewish World

Dion (2001) observed that being the target of stigma and prejudice has a “demonstrable, negative effect upon the individual.” While blatant prejudice has lessened there has been little change in the rate of subtle forms of stigma and prejudice (Wilson, 1996). Recent trends in the literature acknowledge the importance of everyday reminders of difference or prejudice for women, racial minorities and ethnic groups (Swim, 2003). Jews with a long history as targets of stigma, prejudice and discrimination are an excellent example of a modern concealable stigma. Previous research into the Jewish experience has been influenced by concerns about group survival and has not included specific investigation of the experience of the target of stigma in interaction with perpetrators. Using a qualitative life history methodology this research sheds light on the experience of minority group members with a concealable stigma. Jewish adults with diverse backgrounds were interviewed using a semi-structured life history approach. The first layer of analysis identified six overarching themes – unshakeable loyalty to Jewish identity; importance of belonging; living Jewishness in a way that is meaningful; concerns about visibility of Jewishness; concerns about personal and group vulnerability including references to the Holocaust; and everyday encounters with prejudice. These themes share commonalities with Fiske’s (2004) social needs expressed in a Jewish context. The second layer of analysis developed a model of an encounter with everyday prejudice. This model identifies the overriding importance of contextual influences on perceptions of an encounter in turn influencing the reaction and response. Following the example of Miller and Kaiser (Miller, 2006; 2001b), these encounters are seen as stressful events which can be understood using the framework of the stress and coping model (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). The results show the subtle but important impact of everyday prejudice. As well as providing a means of understanding the experience of these individuals the results have implications for both therapeutic and psychoeducational interventions.

Department dc:contributor.department

Adult Education and Counselling Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Strauss, Alena Janet

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cole, Ardra

• social psychology
• stigma
• prejudice
• everyday prejudice
• concealable stigma
• Jews
• Judaism
• anti-semitism
• qualitative methodology
• life history method

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/

Language dc:language.iso

en_ca

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1807/31950

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utoronto.scholaris.ca:1807/31950