Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
46506516
Author
Owusu, Thomas Y.(Thomas Yaw),1961-
Title
The adaptation of Black African immigrants in Canada : a case study of residential behaviour and ethnic community formation among Ghanaians in Toronto.
Degree
Ph. D. -- University of Toronto, 1996
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1996.
Description
3 microfiches.
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
This study examines the spatial and social dimensions of the adaptation of Ghanaian immigrants in Toronto. In terms of their residential behaviour, the study finds that most of them live in the older suburbs of Toronto. Within these suburbs, they are highly concentrated in particular neighbourhoods, and in particular buildings, often in Limited Dividend (privately owned, but publicly assisted) housing. Analysis showed that their residential concentration is attributable to their need for low-rent accommodation, the effects of chain migration, the desire for proximity to fellow Ghanaians, and the reliance on Ghanaians for information about housing. Only a small proportion of Ghanaians have experienced racial discrimination in housing. This is due, partly, to chain migration, and the reliance on fellow Ghanaians for information in seeking alternative housing. This tends to restrict the housing search to neighbourhoods with a significant Ghanaian population. Ghanaian immigrants also have a relatively low rate of homeownership. Analysis showed that this is due to the recency of their migration, their relatively low incomes, and their desire for homeownership in their homeland rather than in Canada. This, in turn, is related to their intentions to return permanently to their homeland in the future. Ghanaian immigrants have also established associations which provide economic assistance, social fellowship, and enable them to express their culture. They also enable them to respond to political issues, and to mobilize financial and material resources for their homeland. In terms of social interactions, they maintain tight social networks involving fellow Ghanaians. Only a small proportion belong to non-Ghanaian associations, or maintain close friendships with non-Ghanaians. Lack of common social and cultural interests were cited as the principal reasons for the weakness of social relationships with non-Ghanaians. Racial discrimination was not explicitly cited as a factor, but the nature of their social networks must be viewed against the backdrop of the social distance between blacks and other ethnic groups in Canada. Overall, the findings suggest that the strength of kinship ties, strong back-home commitments, and return migration intentions, are crucial factors shaping the adaptation of Ghanaian immigrants in Toronto.
ISBN
0612118258
9780612118256