Sammendrag
This thesis aims to apply Segmented Assimilation Theory to the Arab-American community in Metropolitan Detroit. Segmented assimilation theory relates to second-generation immigrants, and proposes three possible assimilation-trajectories. The findings of this thesis show that Detroit's Arab Americans are most likely to follow what segmented assimilation scholars call "selective assimilation." Selective assimilation is the process where the second generation is able to use resources and networks in their coethnic community to assimilate to the American mainstream, while at the same time retaining ties to their parents' culture. This is possible when the coethnic community is of sufficient size and diversity, which is the case in Metropolitan Detroit. This thesis focuses on questions of racial-, ethnic- and religious identities, and discusses how these variables affect the assimilation trajectory of Arab Americans. Interviews with members of the community were conducted for this study, and are used along with Census material to find empirical evidence of Arab-American assimilation.