The social construction of difference in the Asian Indian community at Texas A&M University

Abstract

This thesis is based on a qualitative analysis of the social construction of difference between two groups in the Asian Indian community at Texas A&M University. one group is comprised of students who have come from India for graduate study at A&M. The other group of students (mostly undergraduates) have been raised in the U.S and are also at A&M for their degrees. while there were differences between the two groups in some respects, they were not as pronounced as they are commonly perceived by both groups when it came to issues like family, love, dating and marriage. Yet, the two groups perceive themselves as "different" from the other group. The theoretical perspective used is one that raises questions pertaining to issues of space, place and cultural identity as well as the power of imagination in the creation of a culture on both sides of the globe and how this imagination manifests itself in interactions in daily life for both groups. With world wide migration and globalization on the increase, the differences between "here" and "there" may not necessarily be as rigid as is commonly assumed. This does not lead to a homogenization of culture but rather, articulates itself in different ways depending on strategies of action used by members of the community. Questions as to what "home,, is all about for migrants, especially those who see themselves as being influenced by both cultures are also raised.