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In search of an identity in young adulthood: ethnic self-identification among children of immigrants

Arriagada, Paula Andrea
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1186505369

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Sociology.
Past research has consistently supported the view that European immigrants and their descendants have assimilated into American society. These immigrants have adopted the cultural ways of the host society, have integrated into social and economic circles, and have learned to identify as Americans. However, contemporary immigrants arrive mostly from Latin American and Asian countries, and have given rise to a number of children who are now coming of age. The overall numbers and diversity of these children have created concerns regarding their ability and willingness to integrate. This research examines one aspect of assimilation: the ethnic self-identification of children of immigrants. Traditional accounts have viewed this process as linear, with a thinning and eventual disappearance of ethnic identities. However, there is evidence that ethnic self-identification may not follow this straight-line pattern from national origin to the identity of the dominant group. Using data from the 1992 and 1995 Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study, this research seeks to explain why adolescents change their identities as well as their patterns of change. The results show that nativity, family structure, and parental characteristics are especially important for understanding changes in ethnic identity. Although native born adolescents are more likely to maintain or adopt American identities over time, there are factors that encourage a move away from American-made labels. Intact and extended family situations serve to maintain ties to the country of origin while rejecting shifts towards American or panethnic labels. In addition, parental foreign nativity draws adolescents closer to their national origins. Interestingly, the ethnic identity choices of children of immigrants do not seem to be affected by external factors such as discrimination, peer relationships, and school characteristics. This type of research is necessary because ethnic self-identity has implications for adolescents’ school achievement and psychological well-being. Furthermore, children of immigrants comprise 20 percent of all youth in the United States and are a crucial part of the future of this country. Given the findings presented here, the question of whether children of immigrants are assimilating and their patterns of assimilation into American society is an important one to answer.
Lauren Krivo (Advisor)
152 p.
Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies
ethnic identity; children of immigrants; immigration; assimilation; adolescence

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Arriagada, P. A. (2007). In search of an identity in young adulthood: ethnic self-identification among children of immigrants [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1186505369

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Arriagada, Paula. In search of an identity in young adulthood: ethnic self-identification among children of immigrants. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1186505369.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Arriagada, Paula. "In search of an identity in young adulthood: ethnic self-identification among children of immigrants." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1186505369

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1186505369
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.