Which should we classify ourselves as?

Let say this person's parents are from China but he was given birth in Canada. Now, is this person Canadian or Chinese? Most often when people are asked of what they are, they speak of their mother/father's background and not theirs.

The soccer player Mario Balotelli for example was born in Italy to Ghanaian immigrants. He was then adopted by an Italian couple. People now classify him as Italian.

My question is which should you address to people, country you're born in or where your parents are from?

 

I would say that his heritage is from China but he himself is a Canadian. But if your asking what I would think if I just saw him I would say Chinese because of his parents genes makes him look like that. So I would say it would make him Chinese

 

It depends if they were just visiting and went back to China or if they stayed in Canada. Mitt Romney's father was born in Mexico but ran for President as he was a citizen from birth. He may have been born in Mexico but he didn't grow up there so he wasn't Mexican.

 

My housemate was born in Germany, but isn't German, nor does he classify himself a German.

You are what you feel.

 

I think that you are what your parents are. Obviously there can be exceptions.

 

Why not just say, "I'm Chinese born in Canada". Is it really that difficult?

 

I don't think it matters at all. We're all human at the end of the day. We should focus on more important things than putting ourselves into even more groups than those which we're already under.

 

You're nationally Canadian. If you're parents are Chinese then you are ethnically Chinese.

 

I was born in America, so therefore I am American. My ancestors were born in different countries, like Germany for example, I wouldn't tell people I am German, I always say American.

 

I was born in the U.S but don't classify myself as American. My parents were both born elsewhere so I classify myself with what they are.