Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA

The process of tracking facilitates students’ entrance into specialized fields. It also leads to educational inequality as tracks indicate a better career and future. Theories on educational inequality detail the factors that impact track selection and educational achievements, but tracking-specific...

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Main Authors: Dina Banerjee, Akshaj Dev Bhattacharya
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123002176
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author Dina Banerjee
Akshaj Dev Bhattacharya
author_facet Dina Banerjee
Akshaj Dev Bhattacharya
author_sort Dina Banerjee
collection DOAJ
description The process of tracking facilitates students’ entrance into specialized fields. It also leads to educational inequality as tracks indicate a better career and future. Theories on educational inequality detail the factors that impact track selection and educational achievements, but tracking-specific experiences receive very little attention. What remains under explored are tracking-related challenges and coping mechanisms. In the context of educational challenges, theories on socialization and identity work pay much importance to identity as a coping mechanism of students. However, how identity helps students to combat tracking-related challenges is yet to be determined. This study addresses these gaps in the literature. We conducted 177 in-depth interviews with participants from four sample points and analysed the data qualitatively using grounded theory method. Findings suggest that when students begin their tracking journeys, they suffer an identity disconnect or an identity tension. They cope by reidentifying themselves. Although they succeed in navigating their ways through tracking, the system of oppression does not change. This study theorizes the dynamics of tracking-related challenges and identity transformations of second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA. In doing so, it extends the theories of educational inequality, socialization, and identity work in significant ways.
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spelling doaj.art-9256673570fc43f58e9c0fd43daed16b2023-12-28T05:19:09ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112023-01-0181100612Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USADina Banerjee0Akshaj Dev Bhattacharya1Indian Institute of Management Udaipur, Room 5A-06, Balicha Campus, Balicha, Udaipur, 313001, Rajasthan, India; Corresponding author. Room 5A-06, Balicha Campus, Indian Institute of Management Udaipur, Udaipur, 313001, Rajasthan, India.Cherry Creek High School, 9300 E Union Ave, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111, USAThe process of tracking facilitates students’ entrance into specialized fields. It also leads to educational inequality as tracks indicate a better career and future. Theories on educational inequality detail the factors that impact track selection and educational achievements, but tracking-specific experiences receive very little attention. What remains under explored are tracking-related challenges and coping mechanisms. In the context of educational challenges, theories on socialization and identity work pay much importance to identity as a coping mechanism of students. However, how identity helps students to combat tracking-related challenges is yet to be determined. This study addresses these gaps in the literature. We conducted 177 in-depth interviews with participants from four sample points and analysed the data qualitatively using grounded theory method. Findings suggest that when students begin their tracking journeys, they suffer an identity disconnect or an identity tension. They cope by reidentifying themselves. Although they succeed in navigating their ways through tracking, the system of oppression does not change. This study theorizes the dynamics of tracking-related challenges and identity transformations of second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA. In doing so, it extends the theories of educational inequality, socialization, and identity work in significant ways.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123002176TrackingCopingIdentityDual ethnicityAsian studentsQualitative method
spellingShingle Dina Banerjee
Akshaj Dev Bhattacharya
Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Tracking
Coping
Identity
Dual ethnicity
Asian students
Qualitative method
title Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA
title_full Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA
title_fullStr Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA
title_full_unstemmed Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA
title_short Tracking and identity: Second-generation Asian Indian students in the USA
title_sort tracking and identity second generation asian indian students in the usa
topic Tracking
Coping
Identity
Dual ethnicity
Asian students
Qualitative method
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123002176
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