LibraryScenariosWhen cultural compliments feel like exclusion to second-generation immigrants
Scenario

When cultural compliments feel like exclusion to second-generation immigrants

My son's soccer coach told him he plays like someone from our home country as a compliment but my son came home upset because he just wants to be seen as American.

Rabia
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

The complexity of praise that reinforces otherness when your child desperately wants to be seen as simply belonging without qualifiers.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Belonging for immigrants and refugees?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.