Re-defining Bicultural Identities Bicultural identities, once strictly defined, are now understood as dynamic and multifaceted expressions of personal and cultural integration. Instead of viewing biculturalism as a juxtaposition of two distinct cultures, contemporary perspectives emphasize the fluidity and complexity of identity formation. Bicultural individuals navigate diverse cultural contexts, drawing upon various cultural resources to construct their identities. This redefinition acknowledges the hybrid nature of modern identities, reflecting the interconnection of global cultures and the changing nature of human experience. Bicultural identities have undergone significant transformations over the years due to increased immigration, political …show more content…
This diverse group, encompassing those with multiple ethnic identities such as children of immigrants, individuals from mixed families, and migrants adapting to new environments, has been on a trajectory to become the largest ethnic group in countries like Canada and the United States. This trend extends globally to regions like Europe and Australia, where a significant portion of the population is composed of foreign-born individuals. A key aspect explored in the article is the definition and characteristics of bicultural individuals. They are portrayed as people who possess and seamlessly navigate two distinct cultural identities. The authors emphasize that biculturals often exhibit great adaptation in their new homeland, suggesting cultural fluency and adaptability, as they are "individuals with a deep understanding of two cultures and who can move easily between them, although they may face challenges in constructing their identity and cultural navigation." However, the article also acknowledges the challenges that biculturals face in navigating their dual identities. They may struggle with identity formation and cultural belonging issues, as well as social expectations and stereotypes. According to Valdovinos, "Biculturals often face challenges in forming their identity as they must reconcile and balance the expectations and norms of both cultures." Understanding the distinction between bicultural and monocultural is crucial for recognizing their impact on business. While bilingualism often accompanies biculturalism, the latter encompasses a broader spectrum of cognitive advantages, including enhanced creativity and social perception. Collaborative research efforts between institutions like the EGADE Business School and universities in Canada shed light on how
Seeing through a multicultural perspective. Identities, 19(4), 398. doi:10.1080/1070289X.2012.718714. Steven, D. K. (2014). The 'Secondary'.
Stroink, M, & Lalonde, R. (2009). Bicultural identity conflict in second-generation asian canadians. The Journal of Social Psychology, 149(1), 44-65
“Cultural identity is a broader term: people from multiple ethnic backgrounds may identify as belonging to the same culture” (Elise Trumbull and Maria Pacheco). Though people may identify themselves with a certain culture, their beliefs and actions varies and adjust to their experiences. “…We do not consciously pick and choose attributes from the total set; rather, the conditions and events in our individual lives…” (Elise Trumbull and Maria Pacheco). A person is easily influenced by their culture which also makes an impact on their beliefs as well as their view of the world which can cause conflict with another person.
1. Becoming Bicultural is another form of assimilation. It entails people of different cultures borrowing from one another’s culture what they consider right and integrating it within their individual cultures. The United States being a nation of immigrants and due to the recent massive immigration, the country is led to a nationwide struggle with the need to become bicultural, a difficult and sometimes painful process of navigating between ethnic cultures. Some former minority groups are now becoming the dominating group due to their high rate of immigration and high birth rate. The Latino and Asian populations form the largest portion of the leading groups that have literally changed the face of the nation and thus calling in for the need to become bicultural.
Being bi-cultural has placed me in a perplexing portal between two separate worlds, with their own unique ideology, thinking, traditions and
Multiculturalism and the Canadian identity. Introduction What is the Canada Tax Code? What is a Canadian emigrant? Canada, to employ Voltaire's analogy, is nothing but “a few acres of snow”.
It has been said that the physical variations in the human species have no meaning except the social one that humans put on them. Society has placed stigmas on race dating all the way back to the 1600s. Still in the 21st century the American society is still trying to work through racial boundaries. With such stigmas being placed on them, biracial individuals often self-identify or be identified by others differently, depending on the social context. A biracial individual’s racial identity development is contingent upon many factors, both internal and external. With the dramatic increase in the number of individuals with a bi or multiracial background it is important for us to recognize the complexity of the racial identity development of this culture. It is critical to understand the hardships as well as the advantages of being biracial, to help them avoid any negative behaviors which could yield lifelong consequences. The healthy development of one’s racial identity is imperative for a biracial child to be able to achieve and maintain a positive psychological and social adjustment throughout the lifespan.
In multicultural societies, there is a promotion of general tolerance and integration which allows people to be welcoming and accepting of various cultures. First, Canada and the United States are such welcoming environments where people can easily adjust and integrate with the locals due to multiculturalism. In other words, the adjustment to new living environment are more likely to be in more multicultural countries or cities. Study done by International Comparative Study of Ethnocultural Youth (ICSEY) reveals that multiculturalism policies have a good consequence in promoting the development of cultural integration (Berry el , 2006, cited in Banting & Kymlicka, 2010, p.61). For instance, Portuguese immigrants have integrated more effectively with the locals in Toronto where there are more various cultures than in Boston (Banting & Kymlicka, 2010, p.62). In addition, mixed marriage is the second result of better understanding and acceptance across different racial ...
In the 1930's several educators called for programs of cultural diversity that encouraged ethnic and minority students to study their respective heritages. This is not a simple feat due to the fact that there is much diversity within individual cultures. A look at the 1991 Canadian census shows that the population has changed more noticeable in the last ten years than in any other time in the twentieth century, with one out of four Canadians identifying themselves as black, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, Metis or Native. (Gould 1995: 198)Most people, from educators to philosophers, agree that an important first step in successfully joining multiple cultures is to develop an understanding of each others background. However, the similarities stip there.
According to Steinberg (1996) many believe that biculturalism is more successful than the other four. With biculturalism minority youth have access to the norms of the majority and minority culture depending on the situation.
When we think about our identity we often think about the way we look. Such features as hair color, eye color, skin tone, height and weight come to mind. Whilst these features are part of our identity, there are many more complex factors that make us who we are. Whilst psychological issues are paramount to the formation of our identity, I will be addressing the nature of our identity in relation to socio-cultural factors (Austin, 2002, p.9). During the course of this essay I will be discussing the term of Identity and some of the axes of identity, including Race, Class and Gender. It is important to understand some of the significant issues of identity so that we have more of an understanding of who and what we are, which in turn may help us to begin to better understand others.
Ethnicity significantly influences the formation of an individuals identity and experiences of belonging. Every cultural background has its own guide of morals and values which places expectations on each individual to follow. The various elements of a certain background influence family life and general structure, greatly influencing a persons formation of identity, and ways an individual may experience belonging. Other impacts that may have an effect on ethnicity for various people today include globalisation, increased mobility and migration.
Who am I; my beliefs, values, morals, and views on society have assisted in molding me into the person that I am considered to be today. I was raced with specifics values, traditions, and norms. Being raised in a small town made being socially aware very easy. I was raised under the southern Baptist Christian religion. Church was always the same and it had a majority of women in attendance although the men and elderly people ran the church overall. It was always the same, repetitive habits and events that occurred in my town but after a while I became accustomed to always being near or known by others.
No human being is culture free. We are a product of the many different cultures which surround us. Our values, worldview and experiences are structured by the society and culture that exert influences on our lives each day.
Bi-culturals are an increasing workforce demographic, and hence a growing part of multicultural teams. Their innate skills that result from being bicultural may help solve central problems in multicultural teams, including managing conflicts and boundary spanning across cultures.