South Asian Immigrants And Their Progeny In Britain After World War Ⅱ In Cultural Prospective

With the labor requirement in Britain and the social changes in Indian subcontinent after World War Ⅱ, many South Asians immigrated to Britain. To the first generation, they must face the difference on religion, language, social traditions with their host society . Because of their deep-rooted cultural background and the discrimination from the receiving society, most of them clinged to as many of their traditions and social customs as possible , if only to maitain their personal and social identities and thus continuity with their past; Concentration on settlement, the maintenance of links with the sending society, the myth of return were the typical characters of them. All of above decided that the immigrants selected the 'separation' mode of adaptation. However, their progeny-the young Asians are growing up in two distinctive cultural traditions and value systems. Their home stress the importance of family and kinship, obedience to elders and authority. British society , on the other hand, values individual and equality and secular outlook. Under this background, the young Asians try to preserve core elements of their ethnic culture, and combine and synthesize it with key elements of British culture such as autonomy and gender equality. They are pursuing a 'middle way' of integration between the two cultures. In practical terms what this integration means for young Asians may include: some forms of bilingualism, taking heed of religious teachings and upholding the family values; and some freedom to choose careers, friends and marriage partners . This dissertation is divided into three chapters as follows: Chapter One discuss the life and pursuing in culture of South Asian immigrants as newcomers in Britain. It includes: the reason and experience of immigration; the difference on value system, religion, language and social customs between two cultures; the psychological characters of immigration. Chapter Two discuss how the progeny of the South Asian immigrants —young Asians develop between two cultures from the aspects of religion, language, family , marriage, education and employment . Chapter Three discuss the situation of "acculturation" of the South Asian immigrants and their progeny.