Essay On Acculturation

The United States and the colonial society that preceded it were created by immigration from all over the globe. Public and political attitudes towards immigrants have always been contradictory, and sometimes hostile. The early immigrants to colonial America were from England, France, Germany, and other countries in northwestern Europe, and came in search of economic opportunity and political freedom. The next influx of European immigrants came to the United States in the late 1800s from Italy, Poland, Russia, and elsewhere in southeastern Europe. The descendants of these immigrants have often taken a dim view of the growing numbers of Latin American, Asian, and African immigrants who began to arrive in the second half of the 20th century.
Many people believe that since Puerto Rico is a common wealth of the United States, that we do not experience the same conflicts as other immigrants but I believe it to be a different kind of struggle. In most cases, the immigration experience is accompanied by acculturation. Acculturation can be defined as the process of cultural change and adaptation that occurs when individuals from different cultures come into contact. Acculturation includes the adoption of ideals, values, and behaviors of the receiving culture. Acculturation represents changes in cultural identity and that personal identity has the potential to ‘anchor’ immigrant people during their transition to a new society.
Being raised in an awareness of the history of my grandparents and other Puerto Rican immigrants it contributed to my Latin identity development. If I understand the tripartite model of personal identity then my strong sense of identity is due to the important non-shared experiences I have had as a second generation Puerto Rican. Therefore my experiences, and my identity allow me to have a specific view on immigration than those who may not have such close