User:Mrjackmao/Immigrant generation

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The term 1.5 generation or 1.5G, although not widely used, refers to first-generation immigrants who immigrated to the new country before or during their early teens, ages 6-12. They earn the label the "1.5 generation" because while they spend their formative years engaging in assimilation and socialization in the new country, they often still maintain native language, cultural traits and even national identities from their country of origin. Oftentimes, in the case of small children, a battle of linguistic comprehension occurs between their academic language and the language spoken at home. Their identity is, thus, a combination of new and old culture and tradition. Sociologist Rubén Rumbaut was among the first to use the term to examine outcomes among those arriving in the United States before adolescence, but since then the term has expanded to include foreign students, as well as other unique individuals.

Identity is an essential defining characteristics of a person, leading to potential subconscious regulation of how an individual interacts with society. Identity formation commonly takes place during adolescence, with children between the ages of 4 and 8 being able to develop a sense of ethnic identity. As such, depending on the age of immigration, the community where they settle, extent of education in their native country, and other factors, 1.5 generation individuals identify with their countries of origin to varying degrees. The extent of which this cultural diffusion remains variable is further due to acculturation, the process that occurs when groups of individuals of different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact, which changes the original culture patterns of either or both groups. However, their identification is affected by their experiences growing up in the new country. 1.5G feels stronger and more curious about their heritage culture than further generations. 1.5G individuals are often bilingual and find it easier to assimilate into local culture and society than people who immigrate as adults. Many 1.5 generation individuals also become bi-cultural, combining both cultures - culture from the country of origin with the culture of the new country.

Because 1.5 generation individuals immigrate during their adolescence at a time of identity formation, they also develop curiosity about other groups that are different from their own. This curiosity makes them more open to accepting and adopting a culture foreign to them. Although the curiosity of foreign cultures could easily destabilize their recently-developed ethnic identity, 1.5 generation adolescents may be more inclined to integrate into their new country's culture as a means of survival. '''After all, in the example of immigrants to the United States, classroom instructions are given in English, and, especially for adolescents attending public schools, their peers will only speak English. However, the ease of acculturation is dependent on age; the older an individual is when they immigrated to the United States, the harder it will be for them to assimilate into American society. As such, even if a Generation 1.5 individual wanted to fully assimilate into American society—which would result in a greater earning potential, as 2nd Generation individuals earn more than Generation 1.5 individuals—their age would make the process difficult. Gindelsky’s findings also further prove that acculturation is more so sought after due to the associated increase in earning potential and for survival, and less so simply due to curiosity and optionality. There are other systemic or environmental changes, such as types and quality of housing, transportation, and religious institutions offered, that once 1.5 generation individuals become accustomed to, they may lose the sense of satisfaction and security they possessed while living in their previous environment in their home country.'''