Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to contribute with a novel understanding of how immigrants face acculturation-mediated conflicts while experiencing events in a host culture. The context of wedding events is chosen because it enables to study consequences of troubled acculturation when immigrants face ‘unfamiliar' rituals and social experiences in the host society. For doing this, the present study relies on the literature on acculturation theory, acculturation tensions, and role theory, the latter of which helps the researchers explain role distance conflicts and double bind situations that have been discovered in empirical data. The findings show four types of acculturation-mediated conflicts: (1) resisting host norms and values, (2) miscomprehending ritual practices, (3) disempowerment, and (4) trouble with role adjustment. The authors discuss how many of the immigrants end up in cultural clashes, or ‘limbo zone' role conflicts, that turn paradoxical because individuals face a situation that is difficult to continue and at the same time difficult to get away from.
TopAcculturation Theory And Tensions
Acculturation refers to the process of adapting to a new culture and changes that immigrants are exposed to when facing culturally dissimilar people, groups, and social influences (Gibson, 2001). Organista et al. (2010, p. 102) argue that the acculturation process is not limited to permanent immigrants who change nationality by choice or by force because of ongoing political issues in their homeland, but include also immigrants that reside temporarily in a new culture. Berry (2006b) draws a line between permanent (e.g., voluntary immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers) and sojourner immigrants (e.g., international students). Hence, both immigration groups might face challenges of acculturation.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Cross-Cultural Experience: Moving and exploring the uniqueness of another culture is called cross-cultural experience.
Intercultural Contact: Refers to interact with individuals or groups in a different culture.
Wedding: A wedding is a ceremonial celebration followed by specific rituals and cultural practices which may differ significantly from country to country and religion to religion.
Paradox: A situation that is difficult to continue and at the same time difficult to get away from.
Acculturation: Acculturation is the process of learning and adapting to a new culture’s values, beliefs, customs, attitudes, and behavior.
Role Conflicts: Occur when individuals are given a different and incompatible role from what they are used to.
Living in Limbo: A situation in which someone is caught between two uncertain stages.
Acculturation-Mediated Conflicts: Tensions and challenges that result from encountering the incompatibilities of cultural change and involving in a complex adaption process.