Second Generation Immigrants, Essay Example

Economists are interested in immigration for two reasons: their impact on the labor market and what progress these immigrants are contributing to the United States economy (Edmonston, 1996). There is much discussion about these immigrants in this area of study. These two areas of concern are important because research shows that the labor markets have changes considerably due to the changing contexts of recent immigrants. Not only are the labor markets being changed, but they way homes are shaped and culture bounds are formed (Johnson & Menounos, 2008). This research leads us to believe that further conceptual work is needed for us to determine the role of employers in the labor market and how they employ people, particularly immigrants. This not only involves those who are in the labor market, but also the children of those workers. These children may feel that because their parents are of the lower-class labor market, that they may not excel to anything beyond that.

Studies show that the greatest wave of immigration in the United States occurred during the year 1994 (Abernathy, Barff, Burtless, et. al., 1994). Studies claim that immigration has negatively affected the American Labor Movement (Briggs, 2007). This is because immigration directly affects the size, the composition and the skills in the labor market. These involve people from ethnic groups in connection to the labor market (Edmonston, 1996). Because of these negative views on immigration in regards to the economy taking a toll, the children of these immigrants suffer socially.

It has been argued that the children of these immigrants cross cultural boundaries, crossing linguistics from the home and in school. However, these children also have to undergo hurdles such as racism, an economic disadvantage and language assimilation. Most of the time, these children of immigrants come from environments which are not very well-off in socio-economic aspects. This creates a sense of insecurity in the children, at the same time they are battling with issues of belonging (Johnson & Menounos, 2008).

Children are found to be embarrassed by their parents because of linguistic reasons. The immigrant parents are usually seen have very little skills in speaking English, and concerns about belonging as well as being judged rise in children. This negatively affects their self-esteem, and results in the children distancing themselves from the family and from the home (Johnson & Menounos, 2008). The children of these immigrants have a confused sense of belonging. They know that they are not originally from the country in which they are residing, yet all they know is the world around them; most have never been to their homelands. This causes confusion in identity, not knowing where they should really belong (Johnson & Menounos, 2008).

Recent studies have found that children who are from second immigrant families do not have equal opportunities when it comes to education. This is because these children are usually from families who are of the lower-class status, and are seen working before and after school to help with the household income. These children do not get to avail of programs such as advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs (“College Board”, 2010). This negatively affects their chances in college success later on in the future. Sadly, this also determines what these children think of themselves. They believe that they have more of a responsibility to help the family, also they do not think that they will ever get to pursue whatever it is that they want.

The negative issues concerning immigration and the economy are relevant in the community, as well as the home. Further studies should be conducted to see the negative affects this has on the children of immigrants. It is not only affecting homes in an economic way, it impacts the family also socially and psychologically.

References

Abernathy, V., Barff, R.A., Burtless, G., et. al. (1994). Immigration and the Labor Market: Discussion Sponsored by Center for Immigration Studies and Center for Public Policy & Contemporary Issues. Center for Immigration Studies. Web. Retrieved from http://www.cis.org/Immigration%2526LaborMarket

Briggs, V.M., Jr, (2007). How many illegal aliens are in the U.S.? Social Contract Journa Issues, 17(4).

College Board. (2001). Facts about the Advanced Placement Program: 2001. Pamphlet.

Edmonston, B. ed. (1996). Statistics on U.S. Immigration: An Assessment of Data Needs for Future Research. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences.

Johnson, A. & Menounos, M. (2008). America being reshaped by second generation children of new immigrants. Political Articles. Retrieved from http://www.politicalarticles.net/blog/2008/10/20/america-being-reshaped-by-second-generation-children-of-new-immigrants/