Acculturation of Immigrants

2500 Words5 Pages

I. Introduction A. More and more immigrants pour in for "American Dream," but fail B. Main Points American dream- hope, freedom, jobs and a better life for their children (Costa 1) Need to acculturate Child who learns to speak English has more control than parent (Costa 1)- Acculturated second generation generally more economically successful To get good jobs, need English language and American education- need to be well-rounded to be "wanted" by top schools (Fuller 39) Cultural identification- 4 different responses to being put in immigrant situation- can make immigrant reluctant to acculturate C. In recent decades, the majority of immigrants have come to America seeking economic prosperity and more opportunities. However, Immigrants must realize that the best way of achieving economic success involves acculturation to the American culture. II. Opposing viewpoints A. Economic success is not the only kind of success- for the purpose of this paper, prosperity is being isolated to economic success B. There are also small immigrant communities which strive economically without major acculturation. However, this situation causes different cultural responses which could hinder successfulness III. Supporting points A. Past immigrants have succeeded by acculturating Immigration quotas and definitions a. demographics (history) b. who and why immigrants come- "American Dream" c. acculturation- changes individuals undergo when they come into contact with another culture Opportunities- academics, positions, jobs B. Acculturative style of cultural identification is most prosperous cultural response Reluctance to acculturate a. cultural identification response i. dissociative- affiliated only with own eth... ... middle of paper ... ...y." Thesis, English 112, 18 April 1993. U.S. Bureau of the Census. "Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1996." U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC, 1996. Verkuyten, M., and G. A. Kwa. "Ethnic Self-Identification, Ethnic Involvement, and Group Differentiation Among Chinese Youth in the Netherlands." Journal of Social Psychology 136 (1996): 35-48. Pawliciuk, Nicole, M.A., Natalie Grizenko, M.D., FRCP(C), Alice Chan-Yip, M.D., FRCP(C), FAAP, Peter Gantous, M.A., Jane Mathew, and Diem Nguyen. "Acculturation Style and Psychological Functioning In Children of Immigrants." American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 66 (Jan. 1996): 111-121. Fuller, Richard C. "Here's Looking at You Kid." Best College For You 1997 ed. 37-41. Mandel, Michael J. "The Immigrants: How They are Helping to Revitalize the U.S. Economy." Business Week 13 July 1992: 114-118+.

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