“Unpackaging” Acculturation

Abstract

In order to “unpackage” acculturation and gain a more nuanced understanding of the process, we examined separate aspects of acculturation as predictors of traditional sex role attitudes. Participants were 170 Hispanic adults (83 females and 87 males), including first-, second-, and third-generation immigrants with varying levels of education. Participants completed measures of each dimension of acculturation—ethnic retention (e.g., Spanish language, Hispanic friendships) and mainstream involvement (English language, non-Hispanic friendships)—and of traditional sex role attitudes. English language and non-Hispanic friendships were significant negative correlates of traditional sex role attitudes, but Spanish language and Hispanic friendships were unrelated to such attitudes. Being male, less educated, and of an earlier generation predicted traditional sex role attitudes, but gender differences in attitudes varied by generation and education levels. Results demonstrate that the acculturation process can be better understood by examining distinct aspects rather than combining the separate components into a single variable.