Media and Acculturation: Immigrant Internet Use Moving Toward Cultural Pluralism

• In Event: Beyond the home/host culture dichotomy: Alternative approaches to cross-cultural adaptation

Abstract

New media’s parallel growth to that of immigrant populations is providing greater tools by which immigrants can learn English language and culture, and also ways in which immigrants can maintain their ethnic identity. Whereas acculturation has traditionally been viewed as a process causing tremendous stress, tension, confusion and unrest for immigrants, it is argued here that the Internet is providing an optimistic view of acculturation, one that allows immigrants to manage multiple identities and cultures, even on the same screen. This research will focus on new media such as the Internet and how it can ease tensions across cultural and national divides, and how social networking sites can assist immigrants in the creation and maintenance of hybridized identities, as well as social support among multiple different membership groups. New media is discussed as a way of bringing together immigrants across physical space and cultural boundaries. The importance of including new media theories in research on acculturation and immigration will be addressed.

Author

• Charee Mooney, Arizona State University