Are Italian people considered caucasian? I've always wondered because they're darker than most caucasian people (ie like the British-mainly in London-who are paler skinned and blonde). Please post. Thanks.
2007-10-11 15:08:07 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
Yes very caucasian...
2007-10-11 15:10:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apples and oranges.
Race or ethnic is a genetic classification, which has absolutely nothing to do with where a person might be born.
Italian is a term that can be construed in more than one way. It can mean persons whose heritage goes way back in Italy, and who also happen to be of the caucasian 'category' (for lack of better word). NOT all Italians are dark skinned, nor are all British persons pale and/or blond. That gets close to stereotyping and unreliable cultural perceptions.
Someone who is NOT caucasian can still be of the Italian nationality, if Italian is used in a political sense. Example, an Asian person can move to Italy, settle there and have descendants there. They would now technically be Italian by citizenship... but nothing to do with their ethnic background.
So.. in ONE way, the answer is yes, they are. In other ways, they may or may not be.
2007-10-11 22:21:49 · answer #2 · answered by wendy c 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Italian is an ethnic group and Caucasian is a race. The difference being that a ethnic group is defined by where your family comes from socially, and race is more depending on your physical traits. Some Italians are darker because probably they are from the southern regions, and their blood is mixed with darker races. Race is not a clearly defined thing in all cases. Italians have a very rich and varied genetic make up because of it's history, but most Italians are predomintaly caucasian.
2007-10-13 03:02:10 · answer #3 · answered by Rob 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes they are. People's skin color was passed down from the part of the globe their ancestors originated from. The warmer the climate, the darker the skin to protect them from the sun and visa versa. People in Northern Italy tend to have blond hair and blue eyes. The Sicilians have dark skin because they were invaded by the Moores (sp) from Africa. Anyway, Italians ARE considered caucasion.
Your question brought about a debate here--Interesting. We researched it. Glad you brought it up. I always wondered where the cut off for black or white was with all the skin color variations we have in the world.
2007-10-11 22:16:50 · answer #4 · answered by whereRyou? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes and no. The Romans and people who's ancestry lies north of Rome are certainly considered White. From Naples south into Sicily people are more of a mixed bag racially speaking. The same goes for the Spanish and especially the Portuguese. Intermarriage with other races and cultures were never especially taboo amongst these peoples and their proximity to Africa brought a lot of mixing between the races. Sicilians, Calabresians and Napolatans are especially dark in their physical appearance. Sicilians earn the title of darkest people of Europe amongst many physical anthropologists. Anyone who has ever travelled there will note a certain Arab/Berber/***** appearance to the local population.
I think Italians should take pride in this and not languish in denial. They would do a great service to multi-cultural values if they did.
2007-10-11 23:38:26 · answer #5 · answered by Rita K 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Certainly.
Of course, these denominations become increasingly meaningless as intermarriage continues and people become blends of the traditional categories. For example, Tiger Woods won't classify himself and certainly is less than 1/4 African-American and may be as much American Indian. Barack Obama, often claimed to be possible the first "black" American President is actually half-Caucasian.
2007-10-11 22:14:38 · answer #6 · answered by LucaPacioli1492 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mediterranean , Romans or Europeans .
US Born Italians are AKA Ginni's
2007-10-11 22:12:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they're considered caucasian.
They just have Italian blood and features.
Some of the prettiest women I've ever met were Italian.
Good luck
2007-10-11 22:12:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
yea i think so. I'm 100% italian (except i was born in the U.S.)and i'm conidered caucasian like on forms and stuff. Hope i helped.
P.S. and I don't have olive skin. It depends from which part of Italy you're from. People from the north are lighter.
2007-10-11 22:12:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Though most Italians do have darker complexions....they are considered caucasian.
2007-10-11 22:12:48 · answer #10 · answered by inseaoffaith 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋