Navigating Acculturation Gaps: Understanding the Experiences of Chinese Second-Generation Immigrants in New Zealand

<p><strong>In multicultural societies, acculturation is an inevitable challenge faced by immigrants and their families. For second-generation immigrants (SGIs), this process is particularly complex. The pace and manner of cultural adaptation often differ between SGIs and their parents. Parents may prefer to preserve the traditions of their heritage culture, while SGIs, growing up in the host country's environment, are more influenced by mainstream cultural practices. These differences in adaptation are reflected not only in language proficiency but also in values, behaviors, and cultural identities, often create tension within families, influencing parent-child relationships and individual mental health. A defining aspect of SGIs’ experience is the phenomenon of acculturation gaps—an overall discrepancy between parents and children in their acculturation across multiple dimensions, including behaviors, values, and cultural identities. This study focuses on Chinese second-generation immigrants in Auckland, New Zealand, employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore their lived experiences of acculturation gaps. The research draws on data from semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 participants aged 19 to 24. All participants were born and raised in New Zealand to parents born in Mainland China and self-identify as Chinese. Participants were selected to capture diverse perspectives on how acculturation gaps manifest and are navigated in their lives.</strong></p><p>The findings highlight how SGIs perceive and understand acculturation gaps with their parents, how these differences affect parent-child relationships and mental health, and how SGIs reconcile these challenges to form a unique, bi-cultural identity. By examining the experiences of this group, the study provides insights into the distinct challenges Chinese SGIs face during the acculturation process, particularly in relation to personal growth, family dynamics, and psychological well-being.</p>