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theses

This study investigates the acculturation process and delinquency risk of second-generation Arab immigrants living in an ethnic enclave community in the northeastern United States. The study seeks to answer the following questions: First, how do parents adapt their parenting styles to the acculturation process, and how might these affect delinquency risk among children of Arab immigrants? And second, what is the role of local cultural and religious organizations (e.g., local community centers) and social institutions (e.g., family, school, religion) in the acculturation process of second-generation Arab-American immigrants? Ethnographic interviewing and participant observation were the primary data collection methods. Using semi-structured interviews with 32 Arab immigrant parents (15 parental dyads and 2 single mothers; N=32) and their teenage children (N=34), participants were asked about their immigration experiences, adaptation to American culture, and their community and neighborhood life. In addition, community agency members, including social workers, youth counselors, teachers, religious leaders in the community, and law enforcement officers, were also interviewed (N=10). In essence, the study seeks to highlight the importance of considering factors such as religion (e.g., Muslim, Christian), level of religiosity, country of origin, community context, and parental openness to the host culture when examining the acculturation process and delinquency risk of second-generation Arab immigrants. Overall, the results suggest that the acculturation process of second-generation Arab immigrants is both facilitated and impeded by factors related to the community and neighborhood context, family and culture, and religious and educational institutions. Additionally, this process unfolds differently for Muslims and Christians, and for males and females. Within Muslim families, traditional cultural, and religious values were reinforced by local religious and cultural institutions. These values served as protective factors among second-generation Muslim-Arab immigrants and consequently lowered their delinquency risk and involvement within the context of the disadvantaged community where many immigrant groups reside. Conversely, second-generation Christian-Arabs were not exposed to the same degree of traditional cultural and religious values, and thus acculturated faster and engaged in more delinquent behaviors than their Muslim counterparts. The study aims to fill the existing gap in the literature on immigration, acculturation, and delinquency by highlighting the importance of considering religion, country of origin, and gender in the assimilation process of first- and second-generation Arab immigrants in the United States.

ETD_7337

Ph.D.

Includes bibliographical references

by Amarat Zaatut

doi:10.7282/T38S4S4B

ETD doctoral

The author owns the copyright to this work.