Turkish Immigrants in the Mainstream of American Life : Theories of International Migration

This book explores the themes of citizenship in the migration of Turks to the United States. It discusses identity formation across generations among Turkish Americans and analyzes important differences between first and second generation Turkish Americans.

This book focuses on the sociological dynamics of two of the most important Turkish immigration waves to the United States. It describes the wave of early Turkish immigration during the early 19th century and the most recent from the late 20th century. Although a few historians have studied the topic (Karpat, 1985; Acehan, 2005; Micallef, 2004; and Akcapar, 2009), this study utilizes extant international migration and adaptation theories to explore issues related to Turkish immigration to the United States and the outcome explains Turkish immigration to the United States from a distinctly sociological point of view. This book also enlightens the concepts of identity formation across Turkish American generations and analyzes vital distinctions between first and second generation immigrants with regard to their acculturation. Moreover, this book contributes to discussions on cultural tourism, international business relations, and the cultural market. In addition to that, the meaning of race, the existing theories of race, and how the construction of whiteness are points of interest in this book. Finally, the emphasis on intermarriage, religion, and Turkish identity are analyzed.