This text captures the profound unacknowledged crisis that is unique to
children of first-generation immigrants, by virtue of their being caught
in a world of their parents' culture of origin and their social
experience in the United States. The book makes the case for three
levels of adolescent crisis unique to this population, namely, the
general developmental crisis experienced by all adolescents as
articulated by developmental theories; the cultural identity crises
experienced by ethnic minority persons as they encounter the layered
racialization of American history; and, finally, the unique crisis that
arises from conflicting cultural values and morals when first-generation
immigrant parents, wanting to preserve native values, clash with their
children, who seek belonging in the Western context in which they
currently reside. The book traces the psychological, emotional, and
social roots of the crisis. The authors, representing immigrants from
different continents, portray the unique, ethnic minority challenges
they encounter in coming to the US, exemplifying further the tri-level
crisis. Finally, the book offers ways that parents can be proactive in
helping their children navigate the potential tri-level crisis through
ITAV (It Takes a Village) camps and family palavers.
