Central American immigrants in New York: Settlement and adjustment issues.
Item
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Title
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Central American immigrants in New York: Settlement and adjustment issues.
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Identifier
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AAI9207052
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identifier
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9207052
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Creator
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Brown, Judith Gordon.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Michael J. Smith
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Date
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1991
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social Work | Anthropology, Cultural | Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies
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Abstract
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The New York metropolitan area has had a substantial Hispanic population for many years. Over the last twenty years, however, the composition of this population has changed significantly as manifested by the rapid growth of the Central and South American subgroups.;This exploratory study addresses the need to learn more about the characteristics of recent Central American immigrant groups in the United States. Using Westchester County, a suburb north of New York City, it provides a demographic picture of this new Hispanic population and explores the factors that have contributed to adaptation of Central American immigrants to life in the United States.;Research questions addressed include: (1) What are the demographic characteristics of Central American immigrants in the United States? (2) What are their motivations for emigrating and experiences with the immigration process? (3) What has been their experience with social, economic, and educational institutions and how has this experience affected adjustment and settlement? (4) How have immigrants' values, attitudes, patterns of behavior, and familial roles been affected by immigration, and how have these changes contributed to immigrants' adjustment to life in the United States? (5) What are the views of recent immigrants regarding settlement in the United States and what are the determinants? (6) What variables appear to be associated with immigrant adjustment and settlement?;The study entailed 30 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with first generation Central American immigrants in households within Westchester County and ten interviews with key informants at agencies serving the Hispanic community. Family interviews explored variables including: household composition; educational level; language facility; family roles, patterns of interaction and socialization; kinship ties and assistance; housing location and characteristics; entry and immigration status; employment; religious affiliation and practice; and experience with social institutions. These variables were studied and analyzed in terms of their relationship to the concepts of settlement and adjustment.;The overall purpose of the study was to gather preliminary data and formulate recommendations for use by service providers rendering educational and social services and administrators responsible for shaping policy affecting this group.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
