Socialization of Immigrants

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that it is evident that history has forced most immigrants to the US to take on the responsibility of socialization individually, without support from social organizations. The writer further relates that, in the initial mass immigration that occurred during industrialization, this philosophy lead to the formation of cultural communities across the US that worked to support cultural members and the greater social order as well. The writer then points out that, as time has progressed, however, there have been millions of immigrants that have arrived in the nation, both legal and illegal, who have relied solely on these cultural communities for socialization. Ultimately this has created a separation between cultural communities and the larger social order because there has been a lack of organizational or institutional support for immigrants. The writer then asserts that it is therefore apparent that it is time for institutions and individuals to fulfill their social contract with society and assist immigrants in becoming socialized. The writer concludes that it is only through this dual effort that one society will function for the greater good, which includes fulfilling the needs of all cultural groups and prevents segregation of cultural groups from the greater social order.

From the Paper:

"For example, millions of illegal immigrants are demanding that they be given their citizenship because of their extended stays within the country. This demand is supported by numerous groups within the Hispanic culture that believe that crossing the border into the United States and functioning in society without incident should be sufficient grounds for citizenship. Yet, the opposing viewpoint to this argument suggests that by offering citizenship to this population, the country is degrading the efforts of other immigrants that have followed legal pathways to becoming citizens. Clearly, the latter argument supports the intentions of society to conduct immigration through legal processes, while the initial argument supports a cultural desire that strays from the legal structure of the nation. Additionally, it should be noted that the first argument serves to separate the needs of one group from the needs of the greater society, while the second argument insists upon a universal format for immigration.
"Therefore, demanding that immigrants should be responsible for their own socialization process in which they create their own resources and opportunities is possible. However, without the support of social organizations that essentially allow for a universal understanding of American life and the American culture, individuals rely on cultural communities that support only a particular culture's way of life and not the nation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Effects and consequences of the industrial revolution. (n.d.). ICSD. Retrieved September 12, 2007, from http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/acs/library/ushistory/laborwebquest/index.html
• Immigration to the United States. (n.d.). Eisenhower Foundation. Retrieved September 12, 2007, from www.eisenhowerfoundation.org/docs/de_la_garza_paper.pdf
• Skerry, P. (2003). Citizenship begins at home: A new approach to civic integration of immigrants. Brookings Institute. Retrieved September 12, 2007, from http://www.brookings.edu/views/articles/skerry/winter0304.htm
• Social contract theory. (n.d.). Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved September 12, 2007, from http://www.iep.utm.edu/s/soc-cont.htm

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