Ethnic associations and the process of adaptation: The case of Iranians in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area

The primary purpose of this research is to explore the role of ethnic associations in the process of adaptation of Iranian immigrants to American life. Data sources include semi-structured interviews with decision-makers of thirty-two Iranian associations in the Washington, D.C. area; informal interviews with other informants about the associations. Data analysis is conducted at two levels: first, using the organization itself as the unit of analysis, considering its purposes, activities, and services; then, using the individual as the unit of analysis, focusing on characteristics and behavior of association decision-makers. This report reviews different approaches to adaptation, Park's (1950) and Gordon's (1964) models of assimilation, the potential significance of ethnic associations in this process, conflicting roles they may play, and the purposes and activities of other ethnic associations described in the literature. A typology of Iranian associations based on their primary goals is developed. Following Gordon's distinction of the three subprocesses of assimilation, the roles the Iranian associations are found to play in the process of adaptation are ranked in order of importance as follows: preservation of Iranian cultural heritage, followed in turn by structural, cultural, and marital assimilation. Other roles played by associations serve political interests and attempts for unity among Iranians. Some associations are found to have made great contributions to the Iranian community, others to have achieved some objectives, several to have demonstrated little progress. For diverse reasons, most of these associations were not able to attract large numbers of Iranians, who are not traditionally accustomed to joining voluntary associations and uniting to serve their interest. Yet their continued attachement to Iranian culture and adjustment problems they face in the U.S. indicate that potentially important roles exist for associations in both preserving Iranian culture and easing immigrant adjustment problems. The findings suggest that Iranians are just beginning to meet these needs. Most members of the associations are male, educated, and middle class. Decision-makers in these groups indicate that cultural preservation and liberation of Iran from Islamic government are much more important to them than the future development of Iranian organizational life in the U.S.