Acculturation: Why Is It Not Always Desirable to ‘Fit’? Migratory Narratives from Ireland
Acculturation: Why Is It Not Always Desirable to ‘Fit’? Migratory Narratives from Ireland

Summary/Abstract: It is commonly argued, that migration ‘is a transformative process with profound implications for the family’ (Suárez-Orozco, Suárez-Orozco 2001) in terms of socio-cultural adjustment in the host country. Drawing primarily from the exploratory longitudinal qualitative panel study, I argue that acculturation of individuals translates to a wider meaning and it is reciprocally intertwined in relationships within social structures, moving the research field towards ‘the diversity of the paradigms and findings’ (Rudmin 2010). This article examines how young people define and relate to ‘normlessness’ (Neal, Collas 2000), aspects that ‘refer to the inability to identify with the dominant values of society, or rather with what are perceived to be the dominant values of society’ (Seeman 1959); paying particular attention to social integration versus esclusione sociale. The study captures the real experiences of Polish re-united immigrants. It brings to light exclusive data, life portraits of acculturating youth, revealing that it is not always desirable to ‘fit’ (Sam, Berry 2006) culturally.

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