Question

Immigrants intentionally (and unintentionally) choose to keep some aspects of their origin-country, while accepting others of their new home-country (e.g. values, behavior, culture, language, fashion, etc). Based on your observation of immigrants (yourself, family, neighbor, friend, public figure,etc) analyze what they kept versus what they newly adopted. How did it affect their assimilation to the American society?

Answer 1

Immigrants in the U.S. navigate the process of assimilation by balancing the retention of their original cultural identity with the adoption of aspects of American culture. Transnationalism reflects the complex identities of immigrants maintaining connections with their homelands. Due to factors such as discrimination and intermarriage laws, the assimilation experience is multifaceted and variable.

Step-by-step explanation:

Immigrants to the United States have historically faced the challenge of assimilation, which refers to the process of adapting to and, at times, adopting aspects of the dominant culture. Many immigrants retain elements of their origin country's culture, such as language, traditions, and community ties, while also adopting new practices from American society like dressing styles, language fluency, and social norms.

The balance between the preservation of the original culture and adaptation to the new one can affect how immigrants and their descendants integrate into American society. Factors like socioeconomic status, language assimilation, spatial concentration, and intermarriage serve as indicators of the level of assimilation. However, barriers such as racial and ethnic discrimination, laws against intermarriage, and financial impediments can limit the immigrants' opportunities in their new country, consequently affecting their assimilation pathway.

Transnationalism describes a state where immigrants maintain connections to their origin countries, highlighting that identity can be complex and multifaceted. Events such as the Olympics or the World Cup soccer tournament often reveal the dual or transnational identities of immigrants.

Notably, immigrant communities have played a crucial role in easing the transition for new arrivals by functioning as a bridge between their native and American cultures, challenging the notion that these communities are unwilling to assimilate. In addition, sectors like technology have made it easier for migrants to stay connected with their homelands, thereby shaping the immigrant experience and assimilation in modern contexts.