Biculturalism: Its Implications for the Family System

Many people of different ethnic groups migrate to the U.S. in hopes of finding opportunities to prosper for themselves and their families. However, with this migration comes many issues in the family system, particularly when dealing with a family that has first generation American adults and second generation American children. This mix of cultures gives rise to another population, one of bicultural or multicultural individuals. Biculturalism or multiculturalism implies that one has two or more cultural identities, respectively (Benet-Martínez & Haritatos, 2005). These identities can come to cause bicultural and multicultural families many issues, many relating to differing rates of acculturation (Romera, Carvajal, Valle, & Orduña, 2007). Differences in acculturation and values tend to be very problematic for the family as each culture places varying levels of value on different things. What is considered to be highly valued in one culture may not be that important in another. These differences in acculturation rates and cultural values, if not addressed appropriately, may lead to conflict within the family system