Perceptions of ethnicity in Latvian childhood memories

Abstract

This article attempts to investigate the formation of children's ethnicity through analysis of childhood life stories. Examining childhood memories of people of different nationalities living in Latvia, the article focuses on certain questions. How does ethnicity appears to a young child? How do children come to understand the meaning of their own ethnic group membership, how do they respond to and deal with the differences among groups? What is the distinctiveness of children's ethnic socialization in mono and polynational milieux? The potential of the life story method is used, scrutinizing biographical accounts which contain descriptions of relevant childhood facts and events inherent to the formation of individual ethnicity, as well as delineating the social and cultural context of children's lives. The article takes up issues following from the development of children's ethnic awareness, self- identification, ethnic attitudes and behavior. Excerpts from childhood stories are utilized to illustrate and clarify the process of children's ethnic socialization.