http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/category/immigration/
This article discusses how America's birthrate is currently at its lowest point in history. This trend seems to be especially applicable to foreign born women not originally from the US; their birthrates have been on the decline for nearly 20 years. In terms of our class topics, I feel that this topic relates to the concept of failing to achieve the American Dream. As this article explains, there is a correlation between this drop in birthrate and the decreased wages given to immigrant families as compared to white families in America. As seen with the Chang family in Typical American, this idea demonstrates that not everyone in America is rewarded equally for for their contributions to society. In short, the smaller immigrant family sizes reflects the consequences of decreased wages, which in turn demonstrates the idea that some people receive more benefits from the same amount of work than others.
Good tie-in: immigration in American history. We spent a lot of time in this class discussing the role of immigrants in American culture and the many ways the government attempted to restrict immigration to produce a particular version of America. With the birthrate among natural-born citizens decreasing and immigration increasing, it is possible future restrictions could be implemented?
ReplyDeleteThis can also be tied to the melting pot idea. If immigrants are not "mixing" with "Americans" they are not melding into society instead they are staying separate. I say "Americans" because the definition of an American is debatable in this case I am using American as someone who grew up in America as opposed to those who immigrate her as adults. My point is that the idea of the melting pot is not only to mix culture in America but also genes in a way where eventually the mix of people from all over the world will level out and create one, American. Therefore, if immigrants are not contributing genetically to the melting pot they will remain excluded from what an American is. This also calls into question who can meld in and who is denied that freedom. I know this is a scientific and strange way to look at people mixing in society but it is part of the point of the melting pot.
ReplyDeleteI also see how this article relates to the American dream, but see the decrease in birth rates among immigrants as a way for immigrants to assimilate into the American culture and fulfill the America dream. By having less children, immigrants have the ability to save money at a faster rate, than if there were more children in the family. This in turn will allow them to purchase a house faster and fulfill the 'ownership of a house' part of the American dream. Also, with fewer children, parents are able to provide more for the child or two that they do have. One of the many reasons immigrants come to America is because America is known for being the 'land of opportunity', and immigrants want their children to have the opportunities they couldn't, such as: an education, a home,and becoming something.
ReplyDeleteI can see this as being as the concept of the American Dream because part of the American Dream seems to be spreading your successful genes on to future generations. These immigrants are failing to do so, but they also could be saving money and given the ability to own a house as Anna stated. It can go both as failing and being able to achieve the American Dream depending on how you interpret the article.
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