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8 Kristine Ajrouch Family and Ethnic Identity in an Arab-American Community Ethnic identity in the United States emerges through the confrontation of two driving forces: the immigrant culture and the host culture. These two forces push against one another, with each striving for domination. Eventually, the two forces negotiate a relationship in which both cultures have a place. The interaction between the immigrant and host culture produces the developing characteristics of an ethnic identity in America.1 A critical source of the immigrant culture is found within the family. This chapter addresses the Arab family and how it contributes to the formation of an ethnic identity among the second generation. Also important in this discussion is the environment of American society, or the host culture. The weaving of immigrant and host cultures creates a unique situation for the second generation. Family relations become embedded in the host society with immigration and playa role in the development of an ethnic identity. The social processes that constitute the designation of "peoplehood"2 among the ethnic group commonly referred to as Arab are examined through an in-depth study of Muslim Lebanese families living in Dearborn, Michigan, which is home to the largest Arab Muslim community in the United States.3 In particular, this chapter examines the interpretations those of Arab descent produce regarding their ethnic identity. Several questions are raised at the outset. What does it mean to be Arab, and what does it mean to be American? Which identity do they take for themselves and why? How do they arrive at these identities? These questions were generated after I had begun observing Arab-American adolescents in a middle school located in Dearborn. After three months of observing and ultimately participating in the daily activities of the school I arranged to meet a group of eight students after school over three days to discuss their experiences of growing up in America. One year later, I arranged for two more focus groups, each with eight to ten students to elaborate on the discussions of the year before. I then organized two focus group discussions with parents of adolescents, each consisting of six to eight parents , with the intention of having them discuss the experience of raising their children in America. All of the focus groups met during two-hour periods. 130 KRISTINE AJROUCH Gender became a primary aspect of Arab identity, as did religion. Gender is the focal point of conversation, particularly for the adolescents. Their interpretations of what it means to be Arab and what it means to be American revolve around female behavior. My work with these adolescents led me to propose that gender is a critical variable in the formation of ethnic identity. Religion, on the other hand, is the dominant theme in the parents' conversations when they discuss Arab identity. It represents the system of meaning that the parents rely on to justify the behaviors they expect from their children and to demonstrate the significance of their cultural identity. There is a relationship between gender and religion, but there is a distinct generational difference in which aspect is stressed. Ethnic Identity and Arab Family: Responsibility and Honor Abdo Elkholy writes about the immigrant Arab family and the tensions that exist between the immigrants and the children they raise in America. A cultural clash arises when the opposing life views held by each generation confront one another. According to Elkholy, the parents are products of the traditional, agrarian culture of the Middle East, where the past is revered, there is emphasis on stability and conformity, and the elderly are held in high esteem because of their life experiences. Their children are growing up in the technological, industrial culture of America. For them, the focus is on the future, not the past. Youth have higher status than the elderly, and emphasis is placed on personal achievements, rather than accumulated life experiences. Growing up in America, the children are faced with both worlds and both cultures. Elkholy states, "The second generation plays a transitional role between the old and the new cultures and is often the victim of both."4 I begin with the premise that the foundation of ethnic identity derives from the home and the family. In so far as the home socializes children to a particular identity, there emerge expectations based on that identity. According to Mindel and Habenstein, "The maintenance of ethnic identification and solidarity ultimately rests on the ability of the family to socialize its members...

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