Explain the deficit model of ethnic identity in the context of Arab Americans. How well does this model explain the ethnic experiences of these groups?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

As with any ethnic or immigrant community, divisions arise over who can truly be counted as a member of the community. Sociologist Gary David developed the concept of the deficit model of ethnic identity. This states that others view one's identity as a factor of subtracting away characteristics corresponding to some ideal ethnic type. Each factor encompassing a perfect ethnic identity missing from a person's background or identity leads the person to be viewed by others as more assimilated and less ethnic. In the case of Arab Americans, if they are unable to speak Arabic, then they are less Arab to some people; if they are married to non-Arabs, then they are less ethnic; if they have never been to the home country, then they are less ethnic. Depending on one's perspective, an Arab American can come to regard another Arab American as either "too American" or "too Arab." Arab American organizations, magazines, and associations may seek to cater to the entire Arab American community, but, more likely, cater to certain segments based on nationality, religion, and degree of assimilation. Organization may also be found by groups that gravitated to one another because they share the same sense of what it means to be Arab American. Younger Arab Americans seem more willing to self-identify as Arab American even though they actually may be more assimilated to U.S. culture than their parents.