Denkyem (Crocodile): identity developement and negotiation among Ghanain-American millennials.

Abstract

Coffee at Hikes Point, and the PAS department, you all have played a unique role that have influenced my personal and professional life in a positive way. Thank you.To my haters, thank you for reminding me that those who are the biggest threat are often the target of people like yourselves. I hope you sleep well at night knowing that all of the energy you put in being jealous got you nowhere. I will remind you that you did not break me and that you can refer to me as DR. JAKIA MARIE. iv ABSTRACT DENKYEM: IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AND NEGOTIATION AMONG GHANAIAN-AMERICAN MILLENNIALS Jakia Marie November 1, 2019Ghanaian immigrants and second-generation Ghanaian-American Millennials are largely ignored in scholarship. Using qualitative methods, this study explored the experiences of Ghanaian-American Millennials who are first, 1.5, and second-generations with the purpose of understanding how they create, negotiate, and re-create identities. Twenty-one individuals were interviewed using a phenomenological approach. The main findings suggest that even though the sample populations were of different immigrant generations, they have some similar experiences, which demonstrates the value in exploring age instead of solely immigrant generation. The findings also suggest that there are a number of complex layers that are involved in identity development and negotiation that become compounded when one is an immigrant or second-generation American. The study closes with suggestions for future research and implications for practice for scholars, policy makers, and community members.