Lesson 3: Immigration: A Cultural Perspective

THE FACTS: INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS
INTEGRATION IS BETTER THAN ASSIMILATION. When immigrants adapt to and borrow from another culture they may assimilate or integrate.1 Assimilation implies a rejection of the immigrant’s own culture.2 Integration is more positive for both the immigrant and society than assimilation because the immigrant participates in the new culture while maintaining his/her own cultural identity.3 Successful integration can be measured by the level of language acquisition, access to and achievement in training programs and education, incorporation in the labor market and use of healthcare and other critical social services.4 Community attitudes, similarities between the cultures, and a supportive network made of members…show more content…
Accessed in July 2006 at http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/pehsc/index_files/fpframe_files/Lessons02/lesson3.html. 2 Ibid. 3 “Lesson 3: Immigration: A Cultural Perspective.” Curriculum from the University of Pittsburg. Accessed in July 2006 at http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/pehsc/index_files/fpframe_files/Lessons02/lesson3.html. 4 Papademetriou, Demetrios G. “Policy Considerations for Immigrant Integration.” Oct. 2003. Immigration Information Source Accessed in July 2006 at http://migrationinformation.org/Feature/print.cfm?ID-171. 5 Bauer, Thomas K., Lofstrom, Magnus, Zimmerman, Kalus F. “Immigration Policy, Assimilation of Immigrants and Natives’ Sentiments Towards Immigrants: Evidence from 12 OECD Countries.” April 2001. The Center for Comparative Immigration Studies. University of California, San Diego. Accessed in July, 2006 at http://repec.iza/RePEc/Discussionpaper/dp187.pdf. 6 Wucker, Michelle. “Don’t get immigration wrong – again.” June, 2006. Open Democracy. Accessed in July 2006 at http://opendemocracy.net/articles/ViewPopUpArticle.jsp?Id=3663. 7 Crawford, James. “Legislating Language: Anglo-Paranoia in the U.S.A.” Accessed in July 2006 at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JCRAWFORD/worldpap.htm. 8 Powell, Michael. “U.S. Immigration Debate Is A Road Well Traveled.” May 8, 2006. Washington Post. Accessed in July 2006 at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/07/AR200605700721.html. 9 Waters, Mary C. and Jiménez, Tomás R. “Assessing Immigrant Assimilation: New Empirical and Theoretical Challenges." Annual Review of Sociology. Volume 31: August 2005. P. 105-125. 10 "The Americano dream.” The Economist. July 14, 2005. 376.8435 (2005): 8-9. 11 Ibid. 12 Waters, Mary C. and Jiménez, Tomás R. “Assessing Immigrant Assimilation: New Empirical and Theoretical Challenges." Annual Review of Sociology. Volume 31: August 2005. P. 105-125. 13 Bauer, Thomas K.,