Rethinking Soviet-American Identity in a Post-Soviet World (1991-2016)

Abstract

This thesis examines the generational gap between second generation of SovietAmericans and their Soviet-immigrant predecessors. I use the term 'Soviet' as an umbrella that encompasses not only ethnic Russian identity but also those of the fifteen republics. The era of the Soviet Union exhibited several cultural, political, and economical transformations that altered the way in which Soviet citizens lived their life, causing many to immigrate to the United States. Today, there are large populations of Soviet-Americans that exist across the United States; many of them have adjusted their own cultural identity to blend American and post-Soviet culture. By comparing and contrasting the historical and social trends of both the Soviet time period and today's Soviet-American generation, I come to the conclusion that the attempt to abide by both Soviet and American customs has led to the emergence of a Soviet-American hybrid subculture and that its uniqueness stems from Soviet influences passed down through generations. It is my hope that this analysis will lead to a stronger understanding of the basis of this new subculture and will help with its assimilation processes.