ERIC Number: EJ1372672
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Apr
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1081-4159
EISSN: EISSN-1465-7325
Available Date: N/A
Deaf Identity under Pressure: Experiences of Deaf Persons in Iceland
Diego, Kristinn Arnar; Hardonk, Stefan C.
Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, v28 n2 p235-245 Apr 2023
Over the past decades, changes in technology and policy have made developing and maintaining identity and community increasingly challenging for Deaf individuals. This is particularly obvious in Iceland, where the Deaf community is threatened in its existence. This paper reports on an empirical study that explores how Deaf individuals experience developing and maintaining a positive identity in various areas, including family life, working life, and social life. The study approaches deaf identities as multifaceted and dynamic, and particular emphasis is placed on the role of social interactions in identity-related processes. Qualitative interviews were conducted among members of the Icelandic Deaf community and analyzed using a phenomenological approach. The results indicate that social interactions within the Deaf community are a key factor in developing and maintaining Deaf identity. However, decreasing numbers in the Deaf community make its members explore other opportunities, and they experience being Deaf in Iceland as an insecure identity.
Descriptors: Deafness, Self Concept, Experience, Foreign Countries, Interpersonal Relationship, Assistive Technology, Adults
Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://jdsde.oxfordjournals.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iceland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A