Cultural Identity as a Resource for Positive Youth Development in Majority World Contexts: A Trinidadian Case Study

Abstract

In multicultural democratic societies, schools need to do more than teach students to pass exams—they must also facilitate students' cultural and civic development (Banks, 2016). The development of a positive identity is a key indicator of positive youth development that facilitates youths' contribution to the cultural and civic development of wider society (Lerner, 2015). However, for youth living in majority world contexts like Trinidad and Tobago, the psychological effects of cultural globalization can complicate the construction of positive cultural identities (Arnett, 2002; Ferguson & Bornstein, 2012; Jensen, 2003). I examined the associations among cultural identity, multicultural attitudes and civic motivation among a sample of 623 Trinidadian adolescents using cluster analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). Cultural identity was defined as engagement in global and local cultural practices (cultural orientation) and emotional identification with the national "Trini" culture (Trini culture affirmation). The cluster analysis yielded four clusters of Trini, Americanized, marginalized, and cosmopolitan cultural orientation profiles. Students with cosmopolitan cultural orientations scored highest on Trini culture affirmation, multicultural attitudes and civic motivation in comparison to all other students. Students with Americanized cultural orientations scored lowest on Trini culture affirmation but significantly higher than students with marginalized cultural orientations on multicultural attitudes. Results of mediational SEM path analyses showed that Trini culture affirmation played a mostly protective role and partly mediates the association of cultural orientations with multicultural attitudes and civic motivation. Together these results imply that in addition to a sense of pride, belonging, and affirmation in the local national culture, Trinidadian adolescents' engagement in both global and local cultural practices (not one to the exclusion of the other) can positively impact cultural and civic development.