In this chapter, we have looked at how routines and rituals contribute to a sense of individual, family, or cultural identity. We have also discussed ways in which families adapt to cultural transitions. In this section, we will examine an adaptive strategy that may be especially beneficial for youth who experience changes in their cultural settings.

Biculturalism, sometimes also referred to as multiculturalism, can be conceptualized as someone who has been exposed to and internalizes elements from two or more cultures (Nguyen & Benet-Martínez, 2007). This can include people who are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, are members of a minoritized community, have parents from two different cultures, have mixed ethnic or racial backgrounds, have lived in more than one country, grow up with one culture in addition to the dominant mainstream culture, and those in multicultural relationships.

Adolescents and young adults who combine aspects of both their family of origin culture and the new culture and speak both languages tend to adjust better than those who either stay steeped in their root culture only or assimilate completely to their new culture (Kasinitz et al., 2008; Portes & Rumbaut, 2001). Biculturalism can promote feelings of pride, uniqueness, and a heightened awareness of community and history. Children in families who promote learning in two languages benefit in academic achievements, cognitive gains, self-esteem, and family cohesion (Espinosa, 2008; Han, 2012). Biculturalism has the strongest association with sociocultural and psychological adaptation (Nguyen & Benet-Martınez, 2013). As increasing numbers of people in the United States identify as being multiracial or biracial, this concept grows in importance. Do you know someone who identifies as bicultural?

Biculturalism can be seen as the availability of double resources and competencies that come from one’s own ethnic/cultural group as well as the new and larger society. These resources and competencies can double a person’s capacity to cope with cultural transitions (Sam & Berry, 2010). Having social support networks in more than one culture can buffer the psycho-socio-cultural challenges that might result from acculturation experiences, such as anxiety, loneliness, intercultural miscommunication, and interpersonal conflict (Repke & Benet-Martinez, 2018). Given the positive outcomes associated with biculturalism, it is our hope that people can be encouraged to get involved with the cultures they have internalized and that individuals’ and families’ cultural identities can be celebrated.

Licenses and Attributions for Looking Ahead: Biculturalism

Open Content, Original

“Looking Ahead” and all subsections except those noted below by Monica Olvera. License: CC BY 4.0.

Open Content, Shared Previously

The third paragraph contains an excerpted sentence from “Role of Resources in Achieving Aspirations” by Libre Texts. License: CC BY-NC.

References

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