Introduction

This paper critically explores on cultural adaptation and bicultural identity. It begins by defining both cultural adaptation and bicultural identity. It then looks at the role of cultural adaptation in development of bicultural identity, influence of social setting on cultural adaptation as well as influence of cultural adaptation on social work practice.

The role of cultural adaptation in the development of bicultural identity

Cultural adaptation refers to approach of embracing new culture by a person or a group of people. It is a condition that arises in the event individuals are faced with differing practices compared to those in their cultural domain. Cultural adaptation begins with exposure phase in which individuals come across new cultures. A culture shock merges due to cleavages that set the two cultures apart. Individuals at this level explores on aspects of the new culture as the feeling of unease as a result of new culture gradually reduces. Adjustments to normal was of life then occur as people seek to align them self along this new culture. It ends with creation of state of comfort for individuals with both cultures thereby establishing a system of bicultural identity. Bicultural identity can therefore be referred to as a state of embracing more than one culture by a person or persons (Epstein, Osborne, Elsworth, Beaton & Guillemin, 2015).  

How social groups influence development of cultural identity – traditional, marginal, assimilation and bicultural

Social setting impacts on performance of persons on engagement of more than one cultures. Aspects of social groups such as pressures, personalities, stereotypes and ethnic identity inform extent to which members in a group embrace aspects of other cultures. It is therefore apparent that degree of mastery and competence of persons in bicultural identity is determined by social setting present. Aspects of social groups can therefore affirm or oppose engagement of bicultural identity. For instance, groups that have strong negative stereotypes about a given culture informs development of cultural adaptation that are weaker compared to groups that other groups without such stereotypes. Another example that can be used to this effect is analysis of group dynamics such as ethnic identity that informs the degree with which members identify with the group. In the event the degree of conformity to a group is high, cultural adaptation is less effective as opposed to cases of low conformity to group by members of one culture (Ferrari, Rosnati, Manzi & BenetMartínez, 2015).     

Importance of influences of cultural adaptation to social work practice

It leads to creation of approaches that are utilized in interpreting events at a social setting. Understanding group dynamics that inform cultural adaptation makes it possible for extents of certain behavior to be known. As such, a specific code of operation is established against which persons can learn about the accepted behavior (Epstein, Osborne, Elsworth, Beaton & Guillemin, 2015).

It also leads to toleration of differing cultural stand points as people are able to learn about aspects of different cultures and this leads to elimination of misconceptions that previously undermined objectivity in a social setting. Integration of effective and efficient approaches is enhanced by cultural adaptation and this leads to creation of superior strategies by organizations (Ferrari, Rosnati, Manzi & BenetMartínez, 2015).  

In conclusion, cultural adaptation refers to the process by which persons get accustomed to aspects of different cultures. It allows individuals eliminate challenges that arise as a result of differing cultural practices. Effectiveness of cultural adaptation is however anchored dynamics of social setting in which they are base. Aspects of social setting can either affirm or challenge cultural adaptation. At the work place, cultural adaptation is essential because it allows integration of strengths of different attributes of groups present. As a result, superior strategies can be formulated from integration of existing ones (Ferrari, Rosnati, Manzi & BenetMartínez, 2015).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Epstein, J., Osborne, R. H., Elsworth, G. R., Beaton, D. E., & Guillemin, F. (2015). Cross-cultural adaptation of the Health Education Impact Questionnaire: experimental study showed expert committee, not back-translation, added value. Journal of clinical epidemiology, 68(4), 360-369.

 

Ferrari, L., Rosnati, R., Manzi, C., & BenetMartínez, V. (2015). Ethnic Identity, Bicultural Identity Integration, and Psychological WellBeing Among Transracial Adoptees: A Longitudinal Study. New directions for child and adolescent development, 2015(150), 63-76.                                            

    • 7 years ago