Making Sense of Immigrant Identity Dialogues

Abstract

This commentary builds on the contributions of Ali and Sonn (2010), Hale and Abreu (2010) and on the growing literature in the field to extend the discussion on the development of identity for immigrant and ethnic populations. I draw attention to the aspects of both social contexts-country of origin and country of residence-and the ways they shape identity for the populations in question. I examine how dominant and normative discourses and power asymmetries constrain identity development, and I conclude by discussing issues of agency and resistance. © The Author(s), 2010.