Turkish Immigrants in the Mainstream of American Life

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.

Sebahattin Ziyanak is associate professor of sociology at the University of Texas Permian Basin.

Introduction: Turkish Immigration Bilal Sert and Sebahattin Ziyanak 1. Sociological Framework and Theories on Initiating Factors, Adaptations Experiences, and Millet Immigrants from the Ottoman Empire Bilal Sert and Sebahattin Ziyanak 2. Descriptive Analysis for Early Turkish Immigrants Bilal Sert and Sebahattin Ziyanak 3. Initiating Factors for Early Turkish Immigration to the United States Bilal Sert and Sebahattin Ziyanak 4. Early Turkish Immigrant's Adaptation Experiences Bilal Sert and Sebahattin Ziyanak 5. Theoretical and Practical Implications Bilal Sert and Sebahattin Ziyanak 6. Academic Success of Turkish Graduate Students at the United States Universities Jason Hakan Yagci and Sebahattin Ziyanak 7. Understanding the Social Construction of Whiteness through Theories of Race and International Migration: Whitening Experiences and Turkish Immigrants Sebahattin Ziyanak 8. Ahiska Turks in the United States Since 2004 Sebahattin Ziyanak 9. Global Remedies: How a Turkish Tycoon Conveyed International Culture to Oklahoma Sebahattin Ziyanak and Dian Jordan 10. Theories for Immigrants and the Second Generation in the Unites States: Transnationalism and Turkish Transmigrant Identity Sebahattin Ziyanak