Anastasia A. Lijadi Doctoral Candidate, Department of Psychology Faculty of Social Science - University of Macau

Ethnic Estrangement and Social Mobility in Macao:

Perspective of Youth on

Intergenerational Transfer of Ritual and Tradition

Focus Group Thematic analysis N=28 Age 18-25 Macao citizen

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  Ethnic groups in Macao are socially separated from one another, due to: socio-economic history, culture and education level (Hao, 2005; Neto, Furham & Paz, 2007)

IS “THE WALL” STILL EXIST IN MACAO?

Courtesy from Macao Antigo 3

MACAO: BEFORE 1999

Courtesy from Macao Antigo 4

MACAO: BEFORE 1999

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MACAO: HANDOVER 1999

Courtesy from Macao Antigo 6

MACAO NOW

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SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN MACAO

Period 2001 2011 Size (pre-colonial 2.78 km2)

21.3 km2 29.7 km2 ( 30%)

Population 435,235 94.9% Chinese 2% Portuguese 3.1% Others

552,503 ( 25%) 92% Chinese 0.9% Portuguese 6.8% Others ( 100%)

GDP US$ 6,514 billion US$ 36.43 billion ( 500%)

Education Literacy: 91.3% Illiteracy: 8.7%

Literacy: 95.6% Illiteracy: 4.4%

Gender Ratio 91.2

107.5

CHINESE  Macao/Hong Kong

born  Traditional; Confucian  Newly immigrated

Chinese  One country two

systems approach: lift-up the social status of Chinese

 Strong sense of belonging to Macao

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PROFILE OF MACAO CITIZEN

PORTUGUESE

 Macau is my home ;   Take part in

preserve / promote Macao culture.

  Newly immigrated Portuguese

  I am not sure how long I will stay in Macau;

  Enjoy the rapid development of Macau

  Developing Macau as Place identity

MACANESE  Who is Macanese

(De Pina-Cabral , 2002)

  1987-1999: immigrated overseas, less role in government

  Increasing number of intermarriage with Chinese

 More Chinese culture was adopted

  Patua become extinct

 Where do I belong?

 The fundamental mechanisms resulting to either continuity or change in human culture (Cavalli-Sforza & Feldman, 1981).

 A process allowing for the recognition of the modalities that situate a human being in relation to the generations that preceded that individual's birth (vertical transfer), based on life-span theory from Erikson, and intra-generation (horizontal transfer) between generations ( Vanderven 2011)

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INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSFER

  Ambiguous identity   Ethnic estrangement   Social mobility (language, education, career)   Social relationships (commitment)   Religion 10

WHAT ARE BEING TRANSFERRED?

3000: The number of characters you will have to learn to read the basics Cantonese in a newspaper and the streets signs in Macao

Chinese Portuguese Macanese

• Macao citizen •  Ingenuous, trusting to

government’s effort in developing Macao •  Challenge the policy on

increasing immigrant workers from mainland China •  Seek to maintain harmony

in Macao •  Posses Portuguese travel

document enabling wider opportunity for education and career

•  Portuguese Macao •  Actively take part and

conscious on happenings and new laws in Macao •  Orientalized Portuguese

Integration to Macao, while maintain own culture •  Experience culture

shock when go to study in Portugal •  Less than 1%

• Macanese Identity • What will happen to

Macao? •  Aware of the needs to

preserving Macao heritage, i.e., Patua creole language, art and traditions •  Less than 1%

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YOUTH IN MACAO: WHO AM I?

•  Social discourse in Macao is split by ethnic group: •  Dominant population interact among and speak

Cantonese •  Less population speak Portuguese and Macanese (~1%) •  English has become intermediaries language (ironically

used in either: high level executive, foreign affairs, tertiary education; or: non skilled labor i.e., domestic helpers)

•  Tourism and gambling industry are geared towards Putonghua friendly environment

•  Digital communication change the speed and nature of social discourse, into snapshot, less impromptu or holistic experience.

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ETHNIC ESTRANGEMENT

Chinese Portuguese Macanese Language •  Cantonese language

function as cultural identity •  Almost no effort to learn

Portuguese

•  Portuguese language function genetic inheritance •  Cantonese or

Putonghua?

•  Portuguese and Cantonese language function as genetic inheritance

•  English language function as bridge in the society & future opportunity

Education •  Chinese curriculum, memory driven •  Obedient •  individual oriented

achievement

•  Western curriculum, stimulate group discussion, problem solving and team work •  Balanced academic achievement, as well as

physical education (sport), arts and individual interest. •  Multicultural classroom approach

Career •  Short-term goal •  Parent advise on

governmental job •  Tourism & casino-related

career

•  Macao offers better career opportunity than Portugal •  Government •  Indirectly or non-casino related career

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SOCIAL MOBILITY

Chinese Portuguese Macanese Commitment •  Retained traditional

Chinese •  Sense of belonging

within Chinese, other ethnic groups are considered foreigner. •  Grandparents help

raising children •  To continue family

name •  Raise concern of

quality of marriage

•  Harmony •  Open minded •  Social circle among

Portuguese •  Children raised by

domestic helpers •  Raise concern of

quality of marriage

•  Fatigue: Continuous effort to adapt due to intermarriage •  Very small social circle

within Macanese community •  Children raised by

domestic helpers •  Mix use of Portuguese,

English and /or Cantonese at home

Religion •  No Religion •  More Individualistic •  Hedonistic goals

•  Catholicism or Christianity, following parents.

•  Catholic by marriage or name only

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SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

1. Rapid change in Macao cause ambiguous identity for the citizen. 2.  In behavior towards split society in Macao, tension caused by

immigrant workers, shift in language proficiency; Macao need to be cautious to avoid socio-economic tension and in-equality.

3.  In motivation for social mobility transfer: revisit the current Chinese education system in local schools, as well as opening non-gambling related career opportunity should be the agenda of the next decade in Macao.

4.  In addressing social relationships transfer; the youth are vulnerable and showing “excessively” sense of acceptance with all changes, entranced by digital communication, and less believe in marriage.

5. Decrease in a number of religious followers; hedonism seeking behavior. 15

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS