Immigration Identity and Assimilation, Essay Example

Introduction

Several authors have confirmed the presence of conflict between first and second generation immigrants. The author of the current study will review how cultural assimilation, socialization pattern differences, and personality traits influence one’s ethnic identity and create conflicts between first and second generation immigrants. Reviewing several first-hand reports of second generation immigrants, the essay is looking to examine the following thesis:

Generational conflict between first and second generation immigrants originates from the different level of assimilation, and the differences in socialization patterns. Second generation immigrants become disconnected from their cultural and ethnic heritage, while first generation immigrants (their parents) tend to treasure their memories of the homeland.

Discussion of Readings

Conflicts Between Groups Within Second Generation Ethnic Minorities

Generational differences are represented in Lopez’ memoir regarding growing up as a second generation immigrant. Staying connected to one’s ethnic group, while trying to fit in the new country is challenging. Lopez (1998)  signifies the importance of looking for common traits instead of differences, when discovering one’s self-identity. Lopez (1998) first does not understand why his father keeps asking people whether or not they are Mexican, if he already knows the answer. He later understands that it is important to help each other, and preserve one’s ethnic identity, even after assimilation. He is not only a part of a group of “Mexicans”, but the American culture, as well. He wants to be a “surfer”, but foremost, he is a Mexican. When he meets the aggressive boy from the “other side”, he does not simply answer that he is a “surfer”, but he states that he is a Mexican, just like the other boy. Lopez learns something from his father: to look for ways of connecting, instead of being different.

Iranian Women and Gender Relations in Los Angeles

Tohidi (2004) talks about how women experience immigration, and how their experiences with assimilation are different from men’s, as well  as the source of generational conflict within families. She confirms that after immigration, family conflicts (between parents and children, or man and wife) increase in number, and this often leads to divorce. Tohidi also confirms that intergenerational conflicts often arise within Iranian immigrant families. The acculturation of children, due to attending U.S. schools and having American friends makes them more American than their parents. They start rebelling against the traditional roles of family members. Male children refuse to take on the role of the “protector” and “provider”. Mothers, on the other hand, refuse to take on the role of the obedient wife who simply bears children. The author mentions that many families moving from Iran found themselves in a lower economic or social status than back at home. Women had to help out, and often started to work, as well as men. Their roles as a wife and mother expanded. They became active earners, and assumed that they had more rights than the traditions of Iran determine. At the same time, they wanted to “fit in”. Not only for themselves, but also for their children’s sake. Children often refuse to accept the authority of parents, in particular fathers. They demand personal privacy; something that is not acknowledged in traditional Iranian families. While women are more flexible in adapting to new family roles, men tend to stick to traditions. This creates a conflict in the family; not only between the two generations, but husband and wife as well. Children’s acculturation is generally faster than parents, and women are more ready to embrace western values than men.

Growing up in America – Experiences

Vargas (2011) talks about his experiences of growing up in America, assimilation, and finding out that he is an illegal immigrant. Vargas received U.S. education, graduated from high school and college, and even won a spelling competition. He is still not legally considered an American. For people who are left behind, the next logical step would be to return to the Philippines. However, his cultural values are now American. He would not be able to reconnect with his roots in a way. He would feel out of space. As the author states: “This is my home. Yet even though I think of myself as an American and consider America my country, my country doesn’t think  of me as one of its own” (Vargas, 2011, p.  2.) At the same time, he embraces liberal American values and confesses that he is gay in front of the school. He gets kicked out of school. While Vargas’ grandfather is assimilated and lives an American life, he has closer ties to cultural and religious values of the Philippines than Vargas, who grew up in the U.S. His grandfather is Catholic, and secondly, he was hoping that by marrying an American woman, the author could obtain a legal immigrant status. He hasn’t seen his family back in the Philippines for two decades. He is completely disconnected from his homeland. He is American, and finds it hard to connect with his roots. He decides not to pursue legal matters, as it would mean leaving the country for ten years as a part of a ban. He is more connected to America than his grandfather, who lived in the country longer than him.

Unique Culture And Assimilation – The Conflict

Lai & Arguelles (1998) talk about the immigration experiences of Hmong people originating from Southwestern China. Being family-oriented,  Hmong immigrants usually have more than two children. The second generation, however, consisting of well educated and assimilated individuals is embarking on a mission to modernize the social system of immigrant communities. According to the authors, the new leaders “support the reform of some aspects of Hmong culture that may clash with American customs” (p. 4). They are seemingly torn between American and Hmong traditions, and support the idea that – because communities are now living in the U.S. they need to adapt culturally. This creates a tension between the two generations. Women are embracing American values, campaign against domestic violence and polygamy: something that is not a custom, but mostly accepted in Hmong culture. The generations’ clash is likely to support the Americanization of the next generation. Cultural traditions of the homeland have little or no value for younger people who grew up to be American. They feel disconnected from the homeland and culture, even though it is nurtured by the older members of the community. They are Americans, and would like the whole Hmong group to be more “acceptable” by American standards. Pro-assimilation efforts seem to win over traditional views and attitudes.

Conclusion

From the readings above it is evident that the more time an immigrant spends in the United States, and the more early cultural influences of the U.S. society they receive at an early age, the greater the level of their assimilation will be. Going to a school in the U.S. will form one’s values, cultural identity, and attitudes towards society. Vargas chose living in America as an undocumented immigrant because he felt that he was already an American. His connection with the American culture was stronger than that with the Filipino one. The younger generation of Hmong people chooses assimilation over cultural segregation: Hmong traditions have a lower value for them than the values of freedom, democracy, and liberalism.

References

Lai, E. & Arguelles, D. (1998) A population without a nation. In: The New Face of Asian Pacific America: Numbers, Diversity, and Change in the 21st Century, eds. Eric    Lai and Dennis Arguelles

Lopez, J. (1998) Of Cholos and Surfers. In: Lopez, J. Cholos & Surfers: A Latino Family Album. Capra Press.

Tohidi, N. (2004) Iranian women and gender relations in Los Angeles. In: Jack Solomon and Sonia Maasik (Eds.)California Dreams and Realities. 3rd Edition, New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s Books,

Vargas, J. (2011) My  Life as an undocumented immigrant. The New York Times. June 22, 2011.