Cultural Acculturation In The United States

Culture means a way of living life in various ways, which involves language, customs, and beliefs. There are many cultures around the world in which some of these cultures include American, Latinos, Asian, and European cultures etc. Acculturation is a process in which an individual adapts the American culture, while retaining the traditions of their own heritage. The priority of the Latinos in the United States should be cultural acculturation since it is very important to know your own culture as well. In order to fit in the crowd one needs to know the American culture so he or she is not discriminated or made fun of. If one does not know his own culture, then he or she is in loss. By continuing to practice their own culture, Latinos cannot only stay in touch with their own homeland, but also adapt to some aspects of the American society.

Assimilation is a process whereby people of a different culture, learn to adapt to the ways of another culture. Dr. Russell A. Kazal writes in the Journal, The Immigration and Ethnic History Newsletter:

The only connection people have to their heritage is through their family. All they have together is language, musical taste, cuisine, and cultural attitudes about how a family works. “Looking at children through a deficit lens means that children are seen as missing certain skills or lacking background knowledge. Through these lenses, they are seen as culturally deprived” (Souto- Manning 5, 2007). Some Latinos have replaced some of their own culture by mainly speaking English, at home and at work etc. Unfortunately, parents have not taught their children the Spanish language. Since they don’t know the language it has hurt them the most. If a person does not know about their culture, how are they going to pass it on to their children? One should keep their culture and follow the American culture as well, which is the process of