Final answer:
Ethnicity can be defined by the inherited characteristics that form an individual's cultural background, as well as the personal identity shaped by the cultural traditions and customs adopted throughout life. It encompasses shared cultural traits, like language and religion, but is also subject to change through geographical movement and personal choice, differentiating it from race and aligning it more closely with cultural identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are two primary ways to define ethnicity: by cultural traits that individuals are born into and share, and by their personal identification or self-identification with a cultural group over time. Ethnicity encompasses elements such as shared language, religion, and traditions among those within the ethnic group. Unlike race, which is often used in an attempt to categorize people based on physical characteristics, ethnicity is tied to cultural identity and can involve a complex interplay of various factors, including national origin, language, and culture.
Firstly, an ethnicity can be described through inherent characteristics such as genetic background, birthplace, and physical features. These traits play a role in forming one's ethnicity but are aspects over which individuals have little control. Secondly, ethnicity is also shaped by learned behaviors and choices after birth, including the adoption or maintenance of certain languages, religious practices, and cultural customs. This second aspect highlights that ethnicity is not solely decided by birth; it also encompasses the cultural elements that people chose to embrace or align with throughout their lives. As such, ethnicity is seen as both a matter of heritage and personal cultural association, and it can be subject to change as people move geographically or modify their cultural associations.
Moreover, minority groups are identified less by their ethnic traits and more by their societal status, which is characterized by a relative lack of power, regardless of their skin color or country of origin. This distinction from ethnicity shows how societal constructs play a significant role in the categorization of groups and individuals.