Quest for Identity

There are groups in society that experience profound social problems. Others betray a growing social malaise. Massive academic underachievement, family dysfunction, substance misuse, violence, and delinquent behavior are some of the major crises afflicting groups in the United States and Canada, including Aboriginal people, African Americans, and certain Hispanic groups.^LTaylor adds to this list the escalating number of so-called street kids roaming inner-city streets. To a lesser but no less frightening extent, he includes what has traditionally symbolized society's most privileged group-young white men. He asserts that while these are not the only groups who stand out as noticeably disadvantaged, they are among the most visible and, due to his research and activities, allow him to test his arguments and offer his proposals for change.

Drawing upon his research experience in Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Indonesia, Taylor examines the impact of assimilation and the policies of cultural diversity and multiculturalism on these groups. He offers surprising insights into the causes of group malaise and individual failure, and his conclusions are bound to be of significant interest to scholars, students, and researchers involved with intergroup dynamics and cultural diversity.

DONALD M. TAYLOR is Professor of Psychology at McGill University. His previous publications include Coping with Cultural and Racial Diversity (Praeger, 1990) and Theories of Intergroup Relations, second edition (Praeger, 1994).