ETHNIC REPRESENTATIONS AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF CONTEMPORARY FRENCH MIGRANTS IN TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Authors

Laura Schuft, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis and Unversité de la Polynésie FrançaiseFollow

Abstract

This study analyzes the discourse on social integration and ethnic representations of French civil servants working short and long term in Tahiti, French Polynesia. Appointed to positions in education, public administration, and law and order by the mainland authority, the attitudes and social interactions of this community compose a dynamic element of ethnic identity formation in Tahiti. Habitually the literary and academic voice on Tahitian culture and history, the discourse of this dominant socioeconomic category is herein redefined as the object of sociological study.

Analysis reveals three principal ideal-type attitudes toward ethnic representations and relations, each positioned differently around reactions to and interpretations of their social role as mainland civil servants in French Polynesia. Similarities between these migrants' identity strategies and those of migrants elsewhere suggest that these self-preservation identity strategies are inherent to negative stigma rather than dependent on socioeconomic status or duration of stay.

Recommended Citation

Schuft, Laura (2008) "ETHNIC REPRESENTATIONS AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF CONTEMPORARY FRENCH MIGRANTS IN TAHITI, FRENCH POLYNESIA," Pacific Studies: Vol. 31: No. 3, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol31/iss3/2