Video

How can we tell if and how Mexican families change when they immigrate?

Comparing Mexican, Immigrant, Mexican American and White Families A survey of adolescents of each group showed that views of family differ between each group. Mexican American children of immigrant parents tent to be more like their white counterparts.

In life, family is the most important thing Mexicans92% Immigrants 92 Second Generation86 White American72

When you have a problem, who do you go to for advice? ResponseMexicansImmigrantsMexican Americans White Americans Parents87%70%42%43% Extended Family Friends

When I think about my mother, I think______ Percent of respondents who responded with a negative statement: Mexicans 4% Immigrants 6 Mexican Americans20 White Americans30

When I am with my father, I think______ Percent of respondents who responded with a negative statement: Mexicans 6% Immigrants 8 Mexican Americans26 White Americans22

Parent/Child Relationships Immigrant parents are more likely to stress earlier autonomy, productive use of time, strictness, and permissiveness in their children. Mexican American parents born in the US are more likely to express more emotional support for their children and expect proper behavior at home and in school.

Conclusions Based on the Video clips, immigration is largely motivated by a desire to improve the future of one’s family. Mexican Immigrants and their children born in Mexico retain strong familism similar to that of Mexican families. Mexican Americans tend to adopt the more individualistic, independent, non-family centered ideologies of America.

Bibliography US Census; Oct 28, National Council of La Raza; Oct 28, Hispanic Vista; ; Oct 31, Suarez-Orozco, Carola & Marcelo; Transformations: Migration, Family Life, and Achievement Motivation Among Latino Adolescents; Stanford University Press, Stanford, California; My Family (VHS) La Boda (VHS) The New Pilgrims (VHS) The Ties that Bind (VHS)