This study explored Sikh immigrant parents' socialization practices in the ethno-religious identity formation of their children, especially boys, between the ages of 10 - 18 years. Sikh men and boys wear outward identity markers which distinguish them as a group belonging to the Sikh faith (i.e., turbans and beards). The study explored the developing self-perceptions of these boys, which causes them to stand out among their peers in school environments. Because of these markers, young Sikh boys are often bullied at school for their long hair, or harassed because they are mistaken for Muslims of Arabic origin (a backlash which began shortly after the September 11, 2001 Twin Tower terrorist attacks).The study was conducted from an ethnographic perspective, including systematic observations, in-depth interviews with both parents and boys, and focus groups with girls, community members, and grandparents. The study found that networks play an important role in Sikh communities influencing their decisions to move to smaller cities and towns within the U.S. Results from the study indicated that some parents took proactive measures to protect their children in the schools by allowing them to cut their hair or choose not to wear turbans. Both mothers and fathers played different roles in the socialization of their children--mothers in cultural transmission and fathers in protection from discrimination. The fathers and grandfathers were more vigilant about any delinquent and substance abuse behaviors of their sons and other youth in the community. The Sikh community, as a whole, played a major role in raising and socializing children in cultural and religious identities. A common trend among immigrant Sikh men is that they often begin their first jobs as cab drivers and then move to owning businesses, considered a step toward social mobility. The security of owning businesses and properties influences some of the fathers' aspirations for their boys as they see it as a continuing heritage. The youth, meanwhile, feel insulated within their ethnic network, even though such resilience prevents many of them from seeking a college education and careers away from the community. Important implications for the future were also discussed.
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