This book explores the communication challenges faced by parents as they raise children who are bi-cultural, multi-cultural, or are adopted from a heritage other than the parents. Each contributor views the family as a site of intercultural dialogue and mediation, and uses compelling studies throughout to examine the parents who creatively balance cultural influences within their families. Using television depictions of parents on Modern Family and All-American Muslim to the everyday activities of mixed-ethnicity and international families, Mediating Cultures reports the communication strategies employed by the parents as they strive to create affirming relationships between children and their heritages. This collection brings together two largely separate literatures of family communication and intercultural communication studies with accessible yet context-driven studies to explain how families integrate multiple cultural heritages and perspectives.
Industry Reviews
With a few notable exceptions, cultural diversity has been overlooked and neglected in family communication literature. I am delighted to see the publication of Mediating Cultures, which focuses so clearly on filling this void. The chapters are all situated at the nexus of intercultural communication and family communication, and this is a welcome addition to the field.
