ERIC Number: ED207741
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1981
Pages: 17
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Acculturation and Biculturalism among Three Generations of Mexican American and Anglo American School Children.
Buriel, Raymond
Acculturation and biculturalism of four populations (first-, second-, and third-generation Mexican American school children, and a comparison group of Anglo American children) were measured by teacher ratings of classroom behavior, using the Bicultural Identity/Respect for Cultural Differences Scale, developed expressly for use in bilingual/bicultural programs where instruction is in English and Spanish and children have opportunities to role-play characters of different cultural backgrounds. The 80 second and third graders (ages 7 to 9) were divided equally by sex and grade into each of the 4 groups. All subjects, enrolled in a semi-rural/suburban elementary school in Southern California, participated in the school's bilingual/bicultural Follow Through Program, with instruction in both English and Spanish. Results showed that of the three Mexican American groups, third-generation children were most similar to Anglo American children in their levels of acculturation with both Mexican American and Anglo American cultures. Although first-generation children were most strongly identified with Mexican American culture, they were also the most bicultural. Except for third-generation children, the trend was for all groups to be bicultural. Analysis showed no significant sex differences. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the development of a bicultural identity. (AW)
Descriptors: Acculturation, Anglo Americans, Biculturalism, Bilingual Education, Bilingual Teachers, Comparative Analysis, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Exchange, Ethnicity, Grade 2, Grade 3, Mexican American Education, Mexican Americans, Primary Education, Second Language Instruction, Spanish Speaking, Suburban Youth
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A