The Profound Impact of Assimilation Hundreds of thousands of people immigrate everyday, perhaps leaving a piece of their identity behind. This essay compares two poems as well as explores the negative effects of immigration and assimilation. The poem “On Being Told I Don’t Speak Like a Black Person” by Allison Joseph expresses people sound different for many reasons and never to assume what someone sounds like before they speak. It explores themes of identity and race. The poem “Nani” by Alberto Ríos reflects upon the life of a young adult growing up speaking both English and Spanish and explores themes of family and sacrifice. Both poems deal with a younger generation who have culturally assimilated due to growing up in a different culture …show more content…
A study conducted to investigate Mental health among Latinx emerging adults by the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University found that “higher familial accusations of assimilation were associated with higher symptoms of depression and anxiety” (1). There are many reasons why this is the case, but it is most likely due to pressures from older generations on younger generations to pass down the cultural values and identities that they have brought from their home country. Due to assimilation the younger generations have gone away from their cultural identity in order to fit in with the different culture and it was much easier of a transition for them since they grew up around the culture. This family tension can easily lead to depression and anxiety for many members of the family. Another reason may be the lack of uniqueness, Patel explains that “losing cultural identity to join the majority culture does not enhance one’s uniqueness but can lead to misery due to lack of cultural identity in one’s existence.” (6) Having different unique values and culture is what makes people special. When that is taken away from them by being forced to assimilate it can cause depression and anxiety because they no longer feel special. Lastly, bullying due to the way someone talks or acts is very common. Therefore immigrants may be bullied after migrating because of their culture. This is …show more content…
Immigrants usually go through phases when it comes to migrating to a new country and this essay was an attempt to outline those phases with an emphasis on the negative effects of assimilation. Firstly, isolation. Nearly every immigrant finds themselves isolated at first, but this tends to go away as they become assimilated with the new culture. As this happens, they start to lose touch with their cultural identity and start to change in order to fit in with the new culture. Sometimes this is forced, other times the immigrant knowingly assimilates. In many cases, the end result is sadly anxiety, depression, or a combination of both. Many immigrants move because they are forced by war, natural disasters, living conditions,etc. Whereas others are moving for better opportunities, to study, to reunite with family, or many other reasons. Before immigrating they should deeply consider what has been discussed in this essay. In terms of forced immigration there should be plans in place to ease the transition to the new culture better and create a way in which old traditions and ideas should be respected and passed on to future
Like Yolanda, thousands of new immigrants in any country, America especially, feel when they come to their new country. They want to hold on to both set of morals, keep their old culture and explore their new, but there are so many obstacles they find holding them back, such as lack of knowledge, feeling slow or behind others, or even losing memory of traditions and
The writer posited further that globally there are always disparities between host countries and immigrants as it relates to mental health. Canadian immigrants are least likely to get sick as compared to their global counterparts because of the stringent immigration policies here. The writer suggests further that social determinants both pre and post-migration plays a key role in the mental health of for immigrants in Canada in a both negative and positive way. The writer long with a team conducted a peer review on academics resources on mental health problems within the IRER communities.
Migration from the native country imparts an indelible scar in the psyche of the migrants. They not only migrate from their place of birth but also from their language, culture, tradition, food habits and the list is endless. Immigration gives them the trauma as they would take a voyage from the world of familiar to the unfamiliar. In addition to that the immigrants are compelled to understand and adapt to the culture of the new land, their life style, food habits, climatic factors and the political milieu. They immigrate hoping for a better world but it becomes a mirage in the newly settled land.
In recent years, immigration has become so popular that more and more people would choose to immigrate to another country than living in their own homeland. Talking about immigration, people hold different opinions towards it, for some of them agree that it can bring lots of benefits to a country,and of course some hold the opposite opinion. As in America, this common phenomenon has brought three good effects in population, traditions and economy.
According to Potochnick & Perreira (2010) there is higher likelihood of anxiety and depression on Hispanic/Latinos when immigration and psychosocial worries are present. With the large majority of foreign-born population in the U.S. originating from Mexican land [I], this is an important matter to consider. 2. Lack of medical care may not be the ultimate factor in the low number of treatment for depressive disorders in this culture, a social-cultural script may also be of substantial significance in this matter. C.
One of the toughest adjustments, having been born to Mexican parents, is migrating to an unknown country where traditions and languages differ from one 's own. Though many pursue an education and strive for a better life, the purpose behind an immigrant, like myself, differs from the typical American. Immigrants strive for a life that was once impossible, going to school is not only to attain an education, but to better prove that we can also become successful regardless of our traditions and skin color. I lived in a country for over fifteen years, fearing deportation, not only losing a home, but potentially saying goodbye to a bright future. Although many feel empathy for Mexican-Americans, it is undeniably difficult to truly comprehend the immense trauma children and even adults undergo upon experiencing racism and prejudice.
I tried to focus on the main topics and causes to fulfill my goal of spreading awareness to you. Throughout my project I wanted to express all the emotions that come with the struggle of immigrating also while educating you on the topic by providing important facts as
One main cause of depression is if immigrants miss the home and families they may have had to leave behind. The trauma of loss and separation can be immense. If immigrants are fleeing their home country related to war or government prosecution, immigrants may feel depressed and worried for the fate of their country and any other family members still at home. It may also be very hard to adjust to a brand new culture. Imagine having to change the way you are, changing or learning a new language, adapting to new customs that are different than those back at home.
Immigrants face many diffuculties from when they come to the country, raise children and cultural
For many new immigrants coming to America, it is difficult to adjust into the new society. Many come to America without the basic knowledge of English, the new immigrants do not have the ability assimilate to American society because of the lack of possible communication between the immigrant and an native. Non-English speaking immigrants that come to America face harsh challenges when trying to assimilate to U.S. society because immigrants are often segregated into ethnic communities away from natives, Americans do not know basics of words of other well known languages, and the lack of government funding education programs. Assimilation into a new society is difficult enough, but when the society pushes any new immigrants to separate part
Therefore, this initial transition into the American lifestyle is one full of isolation, depression, and a loss of confidence as immigrants try to rebuild their sense of self. Disillusioned immigrants endure an identity crisis as they live amongst conflicting cultures--their homeland and American society--and struggle to pursue their careers in the workforce. Immigrants feel a sense of loss and become disillusioned as they learn to live and assimilate to the American society without the presence and support of their friends, family, and native culture. Motivated by the chance at a better life, immigrants arrive in the United States with high expectations of furthering their career and achieving success in all aspects of life (Kincaid, 1006). However, assimilation to American society soon becomes a reality, plunging many immigrants into an identity crisis as they find themselves sacrificing their
Sara and her family are going through this assimilation process because they believe they will be welcomed by society and adopt American identities. For immigrants’ transitions, and Sara in particular, a reality of independence is strongly desired. She seeks to become independent of her family and her cultural background because she believes that independence is a sign of authenticity and originality. This process is a combination of self-creation and Americanization. English language skills and a method of education are also critical components of cultural assimilation.
For each individual it was unique and their level of assimilation into the dominant culture varied depending on what aspect of their life was being effected. These various examples show that even when coming from similar circumstances and experiences, assimilation is an individual process that is different for each participating
“The Myth of the Latin Woman: I Just Met a Girl Named María” by Judith Ortiz Cofer and “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan depict the endeavors people take on in an attempt to integrate into society. Cofer demonstrates how stereotypes of Latina women have led others to misjudge her and explains the difficulty she had disassociating herself from those stereotypes. Tan demonstrates that the “broken” English her mother speaks has led others to think less of her and disregard her. One’s appearance instantaneously causes others to judge them. For some it is easier to blend in and be accepted by their community, but what is it that keeps some people from assimilating, and what effect does their otherness have on them?
Today in class Professor Allen discussed about a book called “The Suffering Of The Immigrant” that is written by an Immigrant named AbdelMalek Sayad. In this book Sayad expressed his feelings and described what he went through from his experience. Sayad spoke within his body, that is what makes the book important. Professor Allen point out a few quotes that explains what the book is talking about, “In between, between being and social non being”, “Immigrant as atopos- no place, no true classification”, and “To immigrate means to one’s culture/and history with them.” These quotes stands out because it clarify what immigration really means and what they have to go through.