Across Generations: Immigrant Families in America

by Nancy Foner

Overview

Immigrants and their American-born children represent about one quarter of the United States population. Drawing on rich, in-depth ethnographic research, the fascinating case studies in Across Generations examine the intricacies of relations between the generations in a broad range of immigrant groups—from Latin America, Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa—and give a sense of what everyday life is like in immigrant families.
Moving beyond the cliché of the children of immigrants engaging in pitched battles against tradition-bound parents from the old country, these vivid essays offer a nuanced view that brings out the ties that bind the generations as well as the tensions that divide them. Tackling key issues like parental discipline, marriage choices, educational and occupational expectations, legal status, and transnational family ties, Across Generations brings crucial insights to our understanding of the United States as a nation of immigrants.
Contributors: Leisy Abrego, JoAnn D’Alisera, Joanna Dreby, Yen Le Espiritu, Greta Gilbertson, Nazli Kibria, Cecilia Menjívar, Jennifer E. Sykes, Mary C. Waters, and Min Zhou.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814727713
Publisher:	New York University Press
Publication date:	05/01/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Nancy Foner is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She is the author of numerous books, including In a New Land: A Comparative View of Immigration and New York and Amsterdam: Immigration and the New Urban Landscape (NYU Press). She is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Career Award given by the International Migration Section of the American Sociological Association.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: How Has the Immigrant Past Shaped the Immigrant Present in New York City and Amsterdam?
1. Immigration History and the Remaking of New York
2. To Amsterdam: Migrations Past and Present
Part II: What Difference Does the Urban Economy Make to Immigrant Incorporation?
3. Immigrants in New York City’s Economy
4. From Amsterdamned to I Amsterdam
Part III: Is Islam in Amsterdam Like Race in New York City?
5. Nativism, Racism, and Immigration in New York City
6. Governing through Religion in Amsterdam
Part IV: How Are Immigrants Entering the Precincts of Power in New York City and Amsterdam?
7. The Rise of Immigrant Influence in New York City Politics
8. Immigrant Political Engagement and Incorporation in Amsterdam
Part V: How Are the Children of Immigrants Shaped by and also Changing New York City’s and Amsterdam’s Cultural Life?
9. Immigrants, the Arts, and the “Second-Generation Advantage” in New York
10. Immigrant Youths’ Contribution to Urban Culture in Amsterdam
About the Contributors
Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The ethnographic case studies therein focus on a myriad of issues faced by immigrant families and, in particular, second generation children. As such, it presents a more nuanced view of inter-generational relations and the resultant tensions between homeland and the challenges of a 'new' world."-Ethnicity and Race in a Changing World: A Review Journal,

"Throws a brilliant light on one of the most hidden aspects of the immigrant experience—namely, the private but absolutely crucial relationships in the home between immigrant parents and their U.S.-reared children."
-—Richard Alba,co-editor of Immigration and Religion in America

"This powerful volume brings together scholarship on immigrant parents and their children by some of the most original thinkers in the field."
-—Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo,author of God's Heart Has No Borders

"This timely and enlightening volume opens a window on immigrant families from a wide range of countries and cultures, and vividly explores the nature of relationships between parents and children growing up between two worlds."
-—Rubén G. Rumbaut,co-author of Immigrant America

“Across Generations is effective . . . in providing a new depth and dimension to immigrants. With a rare glimpse into immigrant family life, Across Generations captures the voices of people who are straddling two worlds and two generations.”
-The Indypendent

Editorial Reviews

"This timely and enlightening volume opens a window on immigrant families from a wide range of countries and cultures, and vividly explores the nature of relationships between parents and children growing up between two worlds."

G. Rumbaut

"Across Generations is effective . . . in providing a new depth and dimension to immigrants. With a rare glimpse into immigrant family life, Across Generations captures the voices of people who are straddling two worlds and two generations."

The Indypendent

"Across Generationsoffers an excellent entry into family dynamics that include grandparents, parents, and children as well as a span of first-, second- and third-generation immigrants."

Journal of American Ethnic History - Mary Romero

"Throws a brilliant light on one of the most hidden aspects of the immigrant experiencenamely, the private but absolutely crucial relationships in the home between immigrant parents and their U.S.-reared children."

Richard Alba

"This powerful volume brings together scholarship on immigrant parents and their children by some of the most original thinkers in the field."

Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo

"Throws a brilliant light on one of the most hidden aspects of the immigrant experience—namely, the private but absolutely crucial relationships in the home between immigrant parents and their U.S.-reared children."
-—Richard Alba,co-editor of Immigration and Religion in America

" Across Generations offers an excellent entry into family dynamics that include grandparents, parents, and children as well as a span of first-, second- and third-generation immigrants."-Mary Romero, Journal of American Ethnic History

"This powerful volume brings together scholarship on immigrant parents and their children by some of the most original thinkers in the field."
-—Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo,author of God's Heart Has No Borders

"This timely and enlightening volume opens a window on immigrant families from a wide range of countries and cultures, and vividly explores the nature of relationships between parents and children growing up between two worlds."
-—Rubén G. Rumbaut,co-author of Immigrant America

From the Publisher