Alienation and the Assimilation of Immigrants

In: Australian journal of social issues: AJSI, Band 10, Heft 3, S. 221-230

Abstract

The successful adjustment of immigrants is usually considered in terms only of their cultural, sociological and psychological fitting into the receiving society. However, this attachment process is invariably accompanied by estrangement from the old society—a process of alienation. The effects of this alienation may include severe behavioural breakdown. Even some socially approved behaviours may reflect alienation. Focusing on alienation rather than assimilation permits a re‐examination of the adjustment of immigrants. It suggests that preservation of elements of the donor society's culture would facilitate this adjustment. This view is, therefore, consistent with a multicultural model of ethnic group interrelationships.