Across Generations: Immigrant Families in America

by Nancy Foner (editor)

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 cliche 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 DaAlisera, Joanna Dreby, Yen Le Espiritu, Greta Gilbertson, Nazli Kibria, Cecilia MenjA-var, Jennifer E. Sykes, Mary C. Waters, and Min Zhou.

256 pages, ebook

First published May 1, 2009

Reviews

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Nancy Foner, AM’68, PhD’71
Editor

From our pages (Sept–Oct/09): "The common view of assimilated children battling old-country parents oversimplifies intergenerational tensions in immigrant families, the contributors argue. Examining relationships within families and across immigrant groups and shifting sets of cultural expectations, the book offers not only a portrait of life in these immigrant families but also an understanding of how such diversity makes for a richer nation."