Socio-Cultural Assimilation of Asian Indians in the US - Essay Example

? Socio-cultural Assimilation of Asian Indians in the United s Socio-cultural Assimilation of Asian Indians in the United s Introduction Since the enactment of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act in 1965, immigrants most especially from Asia flocked to the country. They view the U.S. as the Promised Land or the land of opportunities (Melwani, 2006). Immigrants in the United States, many of which in the labor force, play an important role in making the economy strong. According to US Immigration Facts (2011), menial to high tech industry jobs are being filled by these immigrants. Also, as stated in the website, the U.S. government has forecast a shortage of 20 million workers by 2026. The result of these is the increasing number of Asian immigrants, mostly Chinese and Indians, comprising the labor force. Within the last ten years, the Indian population in the U.S. doubled due to demand in labor together with the increase of Indians sponsoring their families. (US Immigration Facts, 2011). Two articles, Melwani (2006) and Kurien (2005) were taken into consideration about the socio-cultural adaptations of Indians in the United States Socio-cultural Assimilations In terms of psychographics (social and cultural aspect), Indians regard the family unit is considered to be more important than the individual, respect value and age, have diverse religious beliefs and are conscious of their food and beverage consumption (Chacko, 2009). Being in the Unites States, the immigrant Asian Indians have been, in one way or another, “Americanized”. Their names, food preferences, outfit and some beliefs changed as a way of adaptation and also for the mighty dollar (Melwani, 2006). The changes, adaptations while keeping their identity have become major issues for the Indians. Melwani (2006) gave different accounts about some Indians and their moral quandaries. Some of them have become chefs and restaurant owners facing the dilemma of preparing beef, which is very sacred to them, to satisfy the cravings of their Western consumers. Being vegetarians, they also try not to eat meat. Suvir Saran, a chef in New York City, stated that he never tasted what he was cooking and relied completely on his sense of touch and smell and sight and it was very tough for him. Some Indians also had no choice and tried to taste meat as part of their job which they now consider without moral tension. Other Indian businessmen also own hotels and liquor stores which serves alcoholic beverages. For them, things related to sex and sexual intercourse are considered taboo, but to those who live in America, conversations about these things are regarded as normal. There were some Indians who own shops selling sex videos, sex toys and strip shows. One of the most basic possessions of Indians also changes in America. As stated by Melwani (2006), in a lightning flash, the names of the Almighty, like Krishna, Mahesh, Vishnu and Shankar mutate into Chris, Mike, Vic and Sandy. Clothings and outfits also changed, the sari and bindi (symbol of a woman’s marital status) were now replaced with modern skirts and dresses. Indians in the corporate world now wear corporate dresses instead of saris and kaajals. According to Diditi Mitra of Brookdale Community College, as cited by Melwani (2006), the moral conundrums are negotiated not just by immigrants, but also by people in India. It is now all about negotiation. Situations were as follows: vegetarian families eat meat outside their homes; young men drink and smoke outside but not near their parents; and they eat with knife and fork with international clients but go back to eating with bare hands at home. Kurien in 2005 discussed an article about the identity struggles of second-generation Indian Americans. He cited Portes and Rumbaut (2001) stating that that the most successful strategy for such second-generation Indian Americans to follow is a process of “selective acculturation” whereby they incorporate themselves into mainstream society while retaining some of the parents’ culture. It will act as defense mechanism against marginalization and discrimination. Through selective acculturation, second generation Indians may developed dual/mixed strategies to be able to be assimilated in a foreign society. Second generation Indians, mostly students studying in multicultural universities or colleges were given rights and privileges according to their ethnicity. Most were able to retain their Hinduism beliefs and traditions. They try to organize groups to work toward social change and social justice. As stated in Kurien’s (2005) article, some Indians also become too much assimilated to the American culture and beliefs that they themselves forget their core values and identities thinking of themselves as real Americans. Assimilating and Retaining the Indian Identity People mostly from Asia immigrate to look for greener pastures. Jobs in the United States would pay more and living would be more comfortable. Being in the United States implies a world full of thousand opportunities for better work, better lifestyle and better technology. But immigration also has its disadvantages. One is adapting to a seemingly new world, another is facing problems like marginalization and discrimination. Adapting may mean changing all of what is needed to survive like values, beliefs, culture and practices. It may also mean changing some practices yet retaining one’s identity and values. Indians are known to be faithful to their beliefs and practices which were rooted in their lives since childhood. However, if one is in a foreign land, beliefs and practices may not be practiced at all. Also, some may be compromised and not be followed when it comes to earning money. One does not simply earn or survive in a foreign land without yielding to the rules and regulations that are imposed. Some can’t just leave their jobs as chefs or video store owners just to uphold their beliefs and practices in India. Even if it’s hard to lose some part of your identity like your name and clothing, they do not have a choice but to comply in order to have a job. Some just rationalize their disobedience to practices (like eating meat or selling alcohol) just to avoid moral tensions. All they have to do is compromise if they want to earn and be blissful. They can cook meat yet try to resist tasting it, sell alcohol and not intake it, sell/rent vulgar stuffs but try not to read them, change their names at the same time not forgetting their real names in every situation and changing their dresses but retaining their saris at home. The Indians must at least have their own peer groups to keep them refreshed and reminded of their beliefs, cultures and practices at all times. Compromising is the key. They must be called Indian Americans because it is still the Indian culture that must run in their blood. This may also be done for other Asian nationalities in the United States and due to multiculturalism, retaining their identity can be easily achieved. References Chacko, J.M. (2009). Targeting Asian-Indian American Consumers. Journal of International Business and Cultural Studies Vol 1. Retrieved from www.aabri.com/manuscripts/08126.pdf Kurien, P.A. (2005) Being Young, Brown, and Hindu: The Identity Struggles of Second-Generation Indian Americans Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 34, 434-469. doi: 10.1177/0891241605275575 Melwani, L. (2006). The Moral Quandary. Little India Magazine. Retrieved April 17, 2012 from http://www.littleindia.com/nri/1053-the-moral-quandary.html US Immigration Facts. (2011). Retrieved April 17, 2012 from US Immigration Information, http://www.rapidimmigration.com/1_eng_immigration_facts.html Read More