The New Second Generation: Segmented Assimilation and its Variants

Abstract

Post-1965 immigration to the United States has given rise to a vigorous literature focused on adult newcomers. There is, however, a growing new second generation whose prospects of adaptation cannot be gleaned from the experience of their parents or from that of children of European immigrants arriving at the turn of the century. We present data on the contemporary second generation and review the challenges that it confronts in seeking adaptation to American society. The concept of segmented assimilation is introduced to describe the diverse possible outcomes of this process of adaptation. The concept of modes of incorporation is used for developing a typology of vulnerability and resources affecting such outcomes. Empirical case studies illustrate the theory and highlight consequences of the different contextual situations facing today's second generation.

Duration of U.S. stay and body mass index among Latino and Asian immigrants: A test of theoretical pathways

“…This has important health implications, as income gains provide access to health-enhancing resources such as health care, healthier foods, and housing in 12 socioeconomically advantaged neighborhoods. However, scholars increasingly question whether upward income mobility will apply to more all immigrant groups uniformly and if some groups experience downward assimilation into the lower classes (Portes & Zhou, 1993). Thus, there is mixed evidence about how duration is associated with BMI for different immigrant groups.…”

Is assimilation theory dead? The effect of assimilation on adolescent well-being

“…In terms of group composition, some scholars emphasize that the new immigrants are primarily from Asia and Latin America and therefore nonwhite, and their minority status may hinder their full integration into the white middle class (e.g., Gans 1992;Rumbaut 1996, 2001;Portes and Zhou 1993). In addition, many scholars (e.g., Alba and Nee 2003;Bean and Stevens 2003;Zhou 1997b) have noted that contemporary immigrants come from a much wider variety of socioeconomic backgrounds than those in the previous wave, suggesting that different groups will start out on different "rungs" of the American class system.…”

“…Several scholars have argued that the assimilation and upward mobility of the 1890-1920 wave of immigrants were facilitated by the manufacturing-based economic expansion of that period, but that the current service-based postindustrial economy is less favorable for the incorporation of new workers (Fernandez-Kelly and Schauffler 1994;Gans 1992;Massey 1995;Portes and Zhou 1993;Suarez-Orozco and Suarez-Orozco 2001;Zhou 1997a). Gans (1992) outlines several distinct trajectories that the new immigrants may follow, including downward as well as upward mobility among the possible outcomes.…”

“…Gans (1992) outlines several distinct trajectories that the new immigrants may follow, including downward as well as upward mobility among the possible outcomes. Further developing these ideas, Portes and Zhou (1993) propose the theory of "segmented assimilation." This theory asserts that the United States is a stratified and unequal society, and that therefore different "segments" of society are available for immigrants to assimilate into.…”

“…The second is acculturation and assimilation into the urban underclass, leading to poverty and downward mobility. The third is the deliberate preservation of the immigrant community's culture and values, accompanied by economic integration (Portes and Zhou 1993;Zhou 1997a). Segmented assimilation theory emphasizes that there is more than one way of "becoming American," and that Americanization is not necessarily beneficial (Zhou 1997a): at least under some circumstances, immigrant children may be better off limiting or avoiding assimilation and instead remaining enmeshed within the ethnic community.…”