Symbolic ethnicity

Symbolic ethnicity is like wearing a costume for Halloween. Just like you can dress up as a superhero or a princess for fun, people can choose to embrace certain parts of their cultural background without living it every day. For example, someone might identify as Irish, but they might not speak Irish, eat Irish food, or have ever been to Ireland. They might just like to wear green on St. Patrick's Day or celebrate their heritage in other small ways. Symbolic ethnicity is a way to connect with your roots without fully embracing all aspects of a cultural identity.