This well-researched paper analyzes the post-WWII rise in European immigration to America, while focusing primarily on Italy's immigrants between 1950-1970.
Abstract This paper examines the factors responsible for the rise in European immigration to the U.S. after WWII. This in-depth paper focuses on the many struggles encountered by Italian immigrants to America between 1950-1970. The writer of this paper details how the segregation of the Italian immigrant community was similar to that suffered by African-Americans. The segregation of Italians was not publicly acknowledged, but existed nonetheless as a force in keeping them congregated in their own neighborhoods and denying them equal access to the U.S. economic and political systems. The negative perception of the Italian culture was further intensified by the rise of the mafia and the presence of organized crime which led to further widespread prejudice. The writer describes the 1950s as an era in which the WASP element of society was preferred even though the overt prejudice against the Irish and Roman Catholics had been reduced. This paper explores religion which was an important element in Italian life. Family and religious life formed a core to the Italian culture and their neighborhoods offered an enclave of life in the old country to newcomers. This paper also contains relevant information as to how the immigrants dealt with day-to-day life in America, from employment to education.
From the Paper "The immigrants with the least education were those most likely to be employed in low paying jobs. Even with minimum wage legislation, it was difficult to earn a living and wives frequently were forced to work part time as seamstresses or domestic servants to supplement the family income. As the higher paying jobs moved to the suburbs, those who were poorest were least able to relocate in search of employment. In The Other America, author Michael Harrington says one of the most self-perpetuating aspects of poverty is the inability to move, physically and mentally. When considered in the physical sense, poverty itself brings about segregation that further alienates immigrants from the mainstream of society."
Abstract This paper argues that, even in her new American environment, the Irish immigrant still managed to maintain the cultural and demographic beliefs and practices with which she was imbued before departure. These practices were critical in facilitating the success of the Irish in America. The paper uses Hasia Diner's "Erin's Daughters in America: Irish Immigrant Women in the Nineteenth Century" as a reference.
From the Paper "Emigrants to America, despite the differing economic conditions, tended to follow these dictates (Diner 46). Furthermore, "Irish women passed on this tradition to their American-born daughters" (Diner 48). The other, more deeply rooted Irish traditions of division of the sexes (men and women spending leisure time apart), heavy participation in Catholic Church activities, a vision of self-worth as rooted in economic activity, and strong family loyalty would also survive the transatlantic trip intact. Thus, despite the Irish woman's greater ease of adaptation to the American environment (Diner 66), she remained heavily influenced by her native culture."
Tags: feminist, immigration, ireland, Catholic, Church
Abstract There can be little question, politically incorrect though it may be to argue it, that illegal immigration is a serious problem with serious ramifications for America. This paper explores the financial impact of illegal immigration upon our schools and how America's school children suffer as a result of illegal immigrants. Secondly, the paper explores how America's prison system is being overrun by illegal immigrants and the costs with which America has been saddled as a result. Finally, the paper briefly offers some suggestions on what can be done to protect America's borders and what the costs should be of such a measure.
Abstract The paper discusses how it is possible that no nation on earth has relied historically as much as America has upon immigration. Many of its most brilliant minds and most important citizens were people who left behind the Old World for the promise of the new. The paper explains that as a result, the recent furor over illegal immigration has brought to light the fact that some Americans, while their concerns about people entering the country illegally in a time of war are perfectly understandable, perhaps forget that immigrants give a great deal to America that no indigenous group can or will.
Abstract This paper discusses the important differences in social customs between former communist countries and the U.S., that impact on immigration as well as immigrants. The writer of this paper contends and explains that although many nationalities have established support systems already in place, many support networks geared towards elderly immigrants continue to remain weak. This paper discusses the many challenges faced by elderly immigrants to America. This paper shows why younger immigrants have a distinct advantage over their elderly counterparts, in terms of coping ability and a diminished need for a support system. In this regard, elderly immigrants from the formerly communist nations of Eastern Europe in general and the Czech Republic, in particular, are faced with various profound changes in their lives upon their arrival in America, which are discussed in this paper.
From the Paper "While many nationalities have such established support systems already in place, many such immigrant support networks remain weak today. Furthermore, these elderly citizens will likely be accustomed to a level of respect and honor that may be missing from the cultural setting upon their arrival in the United States, further contributing to the potential for "culture shock." According to Haskins, culture shock is "a feeling of impotence that results from the inability to deal with the environment because of unfamiliarity with cognitive aspects and role-playing skills; we usually think of culture shock when we imagine immigrant groups visiting or moving to a new country." There are opportunities for culture shock across all measures for new immigrant, many of them unperceived and unexpected from the host nation's perspective."
Tags:immigration, aged, elderly, customs, culture, social
Abstract This paper is on immigration in America. The author looks at the effects of immigration on America such as the mix of race, religion and nationality and examines the possible effects of closing immigration.
From the Paper "Without immigration the United States would not exist today. Our country was founded by immigrants, shaped by immigrants, and has been made the greatest country in the world thanks in large part to immigrants. How can we even consider closing the doors of immigration? The United States is a beautiful mosaic of races, religions, and nationalities. Immigrants have made our country unique from all others. In no other place on earth can you speak with any accent, be any color, or have any belief and know that you have the same opportunities and rights as everyone else. America has been described as a melting pot of cultures and ideas and for this we should be thankful. Immigrants have contributed so much to our country. The United States must keep its immigration doors open, and to all people."
Abstract The writer of this well-researched paper details and describes what it means to be both Vietnamese and American in the U.S. today. This paper provides relevant literary reviews as well as the results of three interviews with Vietnamese-American immigrants. This paper analyzes the numerous cultural and ethnic difficulties currently facing the Asian community in America. The writer discusses the events that led to the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese immigrants and refugees who entered the U.S. in 1975. The writer focuses on the various issues and conflicts that are now being grappled with by second generation Asian-Americans which are both varied and complicated. This paper also contains a detailed timeline illustrating key historic events pertaining to the Vietnamese immigration to America.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion
References
Works Consulted
From the Paper "In traditional rural settings in their own country, Vietnamese women also experienced less economic power than their male counterparts; however, women were vitally involved in the task of rice cultivation, from which most Vietnamese earn a livelihood. The Vietnamese adage, "Men plow, women transplant, the buffalo pulls the harvest" reflects the traditional gender division of labor in the process of rice cultivation. According to Kibria, "Women not only played an important part in rice cultivation but also did most of the household work. Women were responsible for childcare and housework and for taking care of household gardens and livestock." Nevertheless, in spite of their important roles in a wide range of economic activities, women's economic participation continues to be regarded as being secondary and peripheral to that of men, who are considered to be the primary breadwinners in rural Vietnamese society."
Tags: asian, conflict, ethnic, religion, immigration, war, history, community, culture
Abstract The paper asserts that the main theme of the novel is cross-cultural barriers and problems faced by immigrants in America. The paper discusses the psychological causes underlying the difficulties that immigrants, especially from Eastern countries, experience in integrating into a new society. The paper explains that while Western immigrants accept their new culture and assimilate relatively easily, Eastern immigrants resist assimilation. The paper summarizes the book and analyzes the cross-cultural miscommunication demonstrated by the family disagreeing with the established medical community as to the true nature of their child's illness and its causes.
From the Paper ""The Spirit Catches you and you fall down" is an extraordinary piece of writing in which various issues have been woven together in the style of investigative journalism by the editor of the "American Scholar", Anne Fadiman. The story revolves around issues of cross-cultural medical practices and miscommunication that often leads to tragic circumstances."
Abstract This paper looks at the effects of immigration upon America. The paper examines the issue from a number of aspects including social, economic, political, religious, and cultural. The writer believes that immigration is ultimately a good thing, beneficial to the American people and country as a whole. Rather than looking at the history of immigration, the paper focuses on the modern day issues and how these immigrants have benefited the U.S.A.
From the Paper "The world of technology also has reaped the benefits of many immigrants. Silicon Valley and other high-tech sectors would cease to function if the borders were ever closed to skilled and educated immigrants. These immigrants represent human capital that can make our entire economy more productive. Immigrants have developed new products, such as the Java computer language, that have created employment opportunities for millions of Americans."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes Bharati Mukherjee's essay, "Two Ways to Belong in America." Specifically, it discusses the position that immigrants who legally come to this country should become citizens of this country because they have enjoyed all the benefits the country has to offer, and they should be loyal to the country that has given them success and a new life.
From the Paper "Many critics believe the biggest problem with immigration and citizenship is not that so many immigrants choose not to become citizens, but that the country actually encourages immigrants not to assimilate. One critic writes, "Nor would it get at a related and even deeper problem, which is not that there are too many immigrants, but that those who apply, and those who come, are not required, or even asked, to assimilate" (Salins). America makes it very easy for people to immigrate here. We have always welcome and encouraged people from other countries to make their home here, and immigration law reforms in the twentieth century encouraged more people to move to America. Immigrants find that their children can be educated in their native languages, and even voting material and McDonald's menus are available in several languages. Immigrants find that they can live in segregated communities of their countrymen, speak their own language for the most part, and still find good jobs and get a good education. These social conveniences do not encourage assimilation or citizenship, and so, many immigrants feel no need to become citizens - why should they? Their lives are better, but they still live largely as they did at home."
Abstract This essay examines the experiences of the Chinese people who immigrated to America between the years 1850 and 1930. The author looks at the events that these people experienced such as the hardships and the culture barriers as well as the series of laws and events that occurred during this immigration to the United States.
From the Paper "As with many other people groups who left their homelands for America during this 80-year period, Asians experienced a great number of positive and negative ordeals in their attempts to join the great melting pot of the new world. Chinese immigration during this time is filled with countless stories of hardship, rejection, persecution, opportunity, and success. A significant language barrier compounded the Chinese immigration experience. Beginning in the mid- 19th Century when young, single men were recruited as contract laborers from Southern China (particularly from the Kuangtung Province), Asian immigrants have played a vital role in the development of the United States. Several factors contributed to the influx of Chinese to the wild American West around 1850. "
Abstract An examination of the social issues created by the influx of immigrant workers with a special focus on female workers from Asian countries. This paper looks at how these women have to fight for recognition on a number of fronts - being Asian, being immigrants and especially being women. The writer looks at two generations of these workers and asks if their personal attitudes have changed and whether society's attitudes have changed towards them, as well.
From the Paper "With the high level of susceptibility to gender and minority issue, Asian women immigrants have to cope with more challenge than their male fellows do. As immigrants, they need enough fortitude to get along with their new community besides fulfilling personal dreams.
"The problem of discrimination has been continuing since the first group came in America in the middle of 19th century. The earlier generation mainly worked as labors, domestic helpers, even prostitutes. The industrialization era commenced in America in 1870 had attracted mass movements of migrants from other countries and built long establishment after that."
Abstract This paper explores the research to date which indicates that the lack of education, social and economic mobility for new Mexican immigrants greatly affects their progress in American society. The study concludes that the government, through school and other support agencies, needs to plan programs and build infrastructures to facilitate growth among the Mexican immigrant community. The essay makes reference to the book "Always Running" by Luis Rodriguez.
From the Paper "The schools in America need to build a strong foundation for the future of our immigrant youth. This begins in elementary school where many immigrant children begin to fall through the cracks because of their inability to understand the language. Rodriguez experienced this first hand in his first year of attending public school. (Rodriguez 26) The teachers need to be trained to compensate for the language barrier. Hiring more teachers that do speak Spanish as a second (or first) language would help ease the transition for these students into America society. Having adequate supplies for learning is also a necessity."
Abstract This paper demonstrates that immigrant workers do not add significantly to the U.S. economy and have more costs than the benefits derived from their presence. The paper focuses specifically on a proposed bill by President Bush, after discussions with the president of Mexico working, that would allow seasonal farm workers to enter the United States as guest-workers.
From the Paper "Over 8 million immigrants were in the United States as of the year 2000 (FAIR 1998). Immigrants make up approximately 8.5 percent of the total U.S. population (Simon, 1996). Proponents of immigration, such as Molly Galvin (Galvin, 1997) state that even though immigration causes negative economic effects in certain local areas, the overall effect on the US economy is not a negative one. Some propose that immigrants add to the US economy. Opponents such as Mark Krikorian (Krikorian, 2001), and Steven Camorata (Camorata, 2001) believe that immigration will have a negative effect on American Agriculture and Wages."
Abstract This paper explores Asian immigration to the United States during the 1970s. It describes the impact Asian immigration had on America since that time, the different Asian groups who arrived and the social and political reasons for their voyage to America. The author writes that Asian immigration to the U.S. began over a century ago, in 1830 Chinese immigrants entered New York, since then Asian immigrants have become one of largest foreign-born groups in America. The paper introduces a Taiwanese immigrant, Wu Hsiung Chu and presents the details of his life in Taiwan and his immigration to the United States of America.
From the Paper "Asian people were excluded from entering the United States, until the Immigration Act of 1965. This act allowed immigration from countries such as China, India, Korea, and the Philippines to grow. In addition to the immigration Act of 1965 another law in 1975 created a program of resettlement for refugees fleeing Cambodia and Vietnam. A year later, the program was extended to include Laotians. (People Is Plural)
Vietnamese immigration was slow until 1970 when it began building rapidly through the fall of Saigon in 1975. After that it increase with thousands of Vietnamese were admitted under refugee provisions created in an effort to save a half million South Vietnamese who fled Vietnam in tiny boats. During the highest point of Vietnamese immigration in the mid to late 70s, an average of 120,000 entered Vietnamese people came to the country each year. The Vietnamese American population is the most geographically concentrated among Asian groups. The largest waves of refugees were handled through Camp Pendleton located in Oceanside, California, and most of these Vietnamese immigrants settled in the Westminster area of nearby Orange County. (Parsing Asian America) "
Tags: united, states, usa, 1970, immigration, act, 1965, china, india, korea, philippines, taiwan, asia, social, political, voyage, immigrants
