"Ayiti Cheri": Cultural Orientation of Early Adolescents in Rural Haiti. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferguson, Gail M.; Desir, Charlene; Bornstein, Marc H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of early adolescence. Volume 34:Number 5(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 621
• Page End: 637
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: cultural maintenance -- globalization -- remote acculturation -- family obligations -- Caribbean; Adolescence -- United States -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Adolescence -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 305.235
• DOI: 10.1177/0272431613503214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-4316

Abstract

Adolescents are an emerging population in Haiti, particularly after the deadly 2010 earthquake. The steady penetration of U.S. culture into this poor, disaster-prone country begs the question, Do today's adolescents possess a similar fondness for their home country, culture, and traditional family values as did Haitians of old? Or are they more oriented toward U.S. culture? Early adolescents ( N = 105, 52% female, M = 12.87 years, SD = .86) in rural Haiti reported their cultural orientation toward Haitian culture and U.S. culture as well as their family obligations beliefs. Findings revealed high Haitian orientation, very high family obligations (boys especially), and very low U.S. orientation, although adolescents who interacted more frequently with U.S. tourists and those who consumed more U.S. fast food had higher U.S. culture orientation. Despite severe challenges, rural Haitian early adolescents demonstrate remarkable allegiance to their home country, culture, and traditional family values.