Review of Literature
My autoethnography is about the lifestyles of first generation children. Being the child of immigrant parents has shaped my life much differently than those with native-born parents. One of the journals I read discussed how the ability of an immigrant to integrate into society affects their sense of inclusion (Feng). Without immigrants themselves being able to integrate into society, I believe it would be difficult for them to accept their children integrating into society. Inevitably, the children would have the choice of assimilation or accommodation. One of the publications discussed how children of immigrants are more likely to completely assimilate into society (Zhou). This is not always beneficial for the children since many of their cultural beliefs are what aid them in doing so well in school.
In one of the articles I read it was found that children of immigrants tend to have higher academic achievement than those of native-born parents since immigrant parents place more emphasis on higher education and leave less decision making to their children (Kao). If children of immigrants completely assimilated into society, then they would give up these cultural values instilled in them by their parents, resulting in lower academic achievement. Even though the children of immigrants are more likely to do well academically, there are achievement differences between immigrant children and native-born children of immigrants. By overcoming these achievement differences, the immigrant children will be able to make similar achievements to those of the native-born children.
In another publication it was found that native-born children are better positioned to achieve in their society from limited obstacles, such as language barriers (Kao). Since both sets of children have immigrant parents, the emphasis placed on academic achievement is similar, so the immigrant children are forced to work harder (Kao). Not only is assimilation found to lower academic achievement for native-born children of immigrants, it has also been linked to poverty. In an article that discussed the segmented assimilation theory, it was found that assimilation leads to poverty, while accommodation leads to middle-class status (International Migration Review). By maintaining the cultural values of immigrant parents, economic advancement is more likely for immigrant children.
In one of the articles I read it was found that children of immigrants tend to have higher academic achievement than those of native-born parents since immigrant parents place more emphasis on higher education and leave less decision making to their children (Kao). If children of immigrants completely assimilated into society, then they would give up these cultural values instilled in them by their parents, resulting in lower academic achievement. Even though the children of immigrants are more likely to do well academically, there are achievement differences between immigrant children and native-born children of immigrants. By overcoming these achievement differences, the immigrant children will be able to make similar achievements to those of the native-born children.
In another publication it was found that native-born children are better positioned to achieve in their society from limited obstacles, such as language barriers (Kao). Since both sets of children have immigrant parents, the emphasis placed on academic achievement is similar, so the immigrant children are forced to work harder (Kao). Not only is assimilation found to lower academic achievement for native-born children of immigrants, it has also been linked to poverty. In an article that discussed the segmented assimilation theory, it was found that assimilation leads to poverty, while accommodation leads to middle-class status (International Migration Review). By maintaining the cultural values of immigrant parents, economic advancement is more likely for immigrant children.