Educational Choices and Attitudes Towards Multiculturalism and Assimilationism of the Majority and Minorities in Four Croatian Multiethnic Communities

Abstract

In this study we examined the relationship between the
preference of minority educational models and attitudes
towards multiculturalism and assimilationism in four
multiethnic communities in Croatia. A sample of 1568
students, aged 11 to 19, members of the Croatian majority
and four national minorities (Czechs, Hungarians, Serbs and
Italians) enrolled in model A of minority education (all
classes are taught in the minority language), and 2000 of
their parents participated in the research. Additionally, this is
the first paper describing the major socio-demographic
characteristics of students in minority education model A, as
well as aspects of their language competence in Croatian
and minority languages, the use of language in their families
and their intentions to continue education in Croatia as
opposed to their country of origin. The results have shown
that the preferences of minority education models are slightly
related to attitudes towards multiculturalism and
assimilationism, but also that group status (minority or
majority) and the multiethnic context the study has been
conducted in are important determinants of attitudes towards
multiculturalism and assimilationism.