Direct Ways Children Influence Their Own Acculturation
A direct way children influence their own acculturation is by selecting their peer group or friends. For instance, a child from an immigrant family might choose to befriend peers from their own cultural background or alternatively, peers from the mainstream culture. If they choose friends from their own culture, they may maintain more of their native culture, while if they choose friends from the mainstream culture, they may acculturate more quickly to the new culture (Christiansen, 2022). This shows the child’s direct impact on their own acculturation as their choice of peer group influences the cultural norms, values and behaviors they adopt.
Indirect Ways Children Impact Their Own Acculturation
An indirect way in which children impact their own acculturation is through their parents’ adaptation to the new culture. For instance, children often learn the language of the new culture faster than their parents and may therefore serve as interpreters or mediators between their parents and the new culture (Hernandez, 2022). This can influence the parents’ own acculturation process, which in turn can impact the child’s acculturation. This shows the child’s indirect impact as their role as language mediators can shape the family’s overall acculturation process.
Applying Active Development to Programmatic Themes
Being active in one’s own development is a concept that applies to all the programmatic themes mentioned. It means taking charge of and responsibility for one’s own growth and development. In the context of self-care, it could mean actively learning about and implementing strategies for maintaining physical, mental and emotional health (Rumer, 2022). In the context of social justice, it could mean educating oneself about social issues and taking action to promote fairness and equality.
In terms of emotional intelligence, it could mean actively working to understand and manage one’s own emotions and empathize with others. In the context of career connections, it could mean actively seeking out opportunities for networking and professional development. And in terms of ethics, it could mean consciously developing a strong moral compass and striving to act in ways that are consistent with one’s ethical beliefs.
References
Christiansen, B. (2022). Strategies for cultural assimilation of immigrants and their children: Social, Economic, and Political Considerations.
Hernandez, M. (2022). Every child coming to America.
Rumer, M. (2022). Parenting with an Accent: How Immigrants Honor Their Heritage, Navigate Setbacks, and Chart New Paths for Their Children. National Geographic Books.