Cultural Identity in a Multiethnic Society.

Immigration and Acculturation

Immigration and acculturation are processes that make individuals aware of their own culture, of other cultures, and often force some difficult choices. Immigrants and expatriates also affect the environment into which they move, making new identities possible for all involved. This week, you will understand more about these important processes.

There are many reasons people may leave their culture of origin. They may be displaced because of political conflict and war, natural disasters, or economic conditions. In some cases, they may marry and move to a new city or country with a spouse. Regardless of the reason, the move does not come without issues. Leaving behind the known for the unknown is a daunting task. There may be language issues, frustration with trying to fit into the new cultural norms yet hold onto culture of origin values and traditions, and frequently the challenge of coping with resentment and discrimination expressed toward them.
Immigration, migration, and emigration are three terms that are commonly intermingled; however, they refer to different elements of voluntary or involuntary displacement. The umbrella term is migration, meaning a movement of people from one area to another. Immigration refers to the process in which an individual enters a new country while emigration refers to the country from which the person came. Many factors influence how well the individual acculturates, or adjusts to the new culture. These include age at immigration, familial support, and community support.

Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.

Books and Resources for this Week:

Books

Reference Instruction

Mio, J.S., Barker, L., & Tumambing, J. (2011) Multicultural psychology Read Chapter 5

Document/Other

Reference Instruction

A selective literature review: Immigration, acculturation & substance abuse. Read article

http://cac.hhd.org/pdf/edc_final_report_11_27_06.pdf

Living in the Hyphen: Cultural Identity in a Multiethnic Society Watch video http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=6281&xtid=35920

Promoting and protecting youth mental health through evidence-based prevention and treatment. Read article

http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2005-11115-005&site=ehost-live

Smokowski, P. R., David-Ferdon, C., & Stroupe, N. (2009) Acculturation and violence in minority adolescents: A review of the empirical literature Read article

http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/811340981?accountid=28180

Watch this video: Living in the Hyphen: Cultural Identity in a Multiethnic Society

Warm-up Activity 5.1

Read this article, which explains evidence-based programs in general for youth: Promoting and protecting youth mental health through evidence-based prevention and treatment.

Assignment

Adolescents are known to search for their identity, to be especially influenced by peer groups, to struggle to establish a degree of independence from the family, and to strive to develop a sense of gender role. Adolescents from immigrant families may face special stresses and tensions, due to differences in gender roles, family structure and cohesiveness, and differences in emphasis between individual and group values between the family’s original culture and the host culture. Too often, this can lead to alienation from both the positive elements of the host culture, and the family, with resultant problems such as psychological distress, delinquency, and substance abuse.

In this assignment, you will write a paper in which you look at evidence-based and model programs aimed to ameliorate the stress of acculturation for adolescents. In your paper, be sure to:

• Locate at least three programs (evidence based programs or model programs) aimed at ameliorating the negative impact of acculturation on adolescents. Each program should target a different ethnic group or nationality.

• Identity the particular characteristics of this group and how immigration and acculturation challenge the adolescents of this group.

• Describe how Berry or LaFrancoise’s acculturation model might be applied to the group described in the research.

• Explain the program and compare the mechanisms for healthy acculturation in the program to the ones mentioned in the text, such as language, education, and support groups.

• Identify unanswered questions and needs for further research.

Support your paper with at least three research articles published in peer reviewed journals. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.

Length 5-7 pages.