Cultural alienation can be defined as separation, disconnection or estrangement an individual feels from some essential aspect of a particular culture or society. It often arises from external influences such as colonization, globalization or social change. In some cases, this social change may be as a result of individuals migrating to a new country with significantly different cultural norms, practices, and values, causing them to feel disconnected from their heritage.
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This dislocation often elicit feelings of isolation, powerlessness or helplessness, and a struggle for identity as individuals grapple with the values, norms and practices of a dominant culture that may differ from their own. Individuals also feel pressure to conform with such dominant global culture in terms of language, ceremonial practices and other familiar traditions. Thus, this write up will examine the factors resulting in cultural alienation through migration.
Language is deeply intertwined with cultural identity and can be a significant factor in cultural alienation. The language we speak shapes our worldview, influencing how we perceive our place in the world and our relationships with others. It acts as a primary means of transmitting cultural values, identity, and knowledge. Inability to communicate effectively in the dominant language can hinder social interaction and limit access to opportunities.
To the migrants, not being able to speak the native language of their new society can result in a loss of connection from the culture's tradition. Also, being forced to adopt a different language can be perceived as a rejection of one's own culture and identity, thus contributing to feelings of alienation.
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Every society has its own culture. This culture refers to the complex and variable practices that is an essential element of social behavior. Among these variable practices is a peculiar way of life and style of celebration during traditional ceremonies. Thus, a migrant may feel pressure to conform with the customs and values of the culture or society's traditional ceremonies. For example, a West Indian may wonder why the funeral ceremony of the Nigerian Yoruba ethnic group is usually lavish and joyful contrary to that of foreign people which is usually solemn and with a mournful atmosphere.
This is because the Yoruba believe that a non-sorrowful death should be celebrated because the deceased is going home to be with their ancestors. The ceremony is characterised by much eating and drinking, spraying of money, dancing, and it also features aso ebi, which are matching outfits worn by family members and close friends. Therefore, the foreign person may see this as weird, and this can further evoke feelings of alienation to connect and conform with these cultural practices.
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Furthermore, the level of cultural alienation can vary greatly depending on the migrant's personality, coping mechanisms, and social networking. Lack of established social networks and connections of an individual in his new society can contribute to feelings of loneliness and alienation. Moreover, inability to access cultural support networks and community organizations can result to the migrant's difficulty to navigate challenges and foster a sense of belonging.
In conclusion, individuals who migrate often experience a stronger sense of cultural disconnection as they try to maintain their heritage while also adapting to a new environment. They feel the need to completely abandon their culture to fit in with the new society, thus leading to feelings of powerlessness, a sense of loss and identity conflict.
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