Immigrant generations
Encyclopedia
The term first-generation [citizen of a country], e.g., "first-generation Ruritanian" may have either of two different meanings:
or
A "first-generation immigrant" may be someone living permanently in the country without becoming a citizen; descendants of such a person born in the country may automatically be citizens (different countries have different laws, and the laws change over time, with many changes in the early twentyfirst century).
There is no agreement on which of these meanings is normally to be understood; a typical discussion is to be found here.
The term "immigrant" is often considered to be rather disparaging; a person from a poorer country settling in a richer one would be called an immigrant, but people from a richer country permanently living in a poorer one might call themselves "settlers", or speak of retiring to, rather than immigrating into, a country with better weather and lower living costs.
Generation labeling of immigrants is further complicated by the fact that immigrant generations may not correspond to the genealogical generations of a family. For instance, if a family of two parents and their two adult children immigrate to a new country, members in both generations of this family may be considered "first generation" by the former definition, as both parents and children were foreign-born, adult, immigrants. Likewise, if the two parents had a third child later on, this child would be of a different immigrant generation than its siblings. For every generation, the factor of mixed-generation marriages further convolutes the issue, as a person may have immigrants at several different levels of his/her ancestry.
Despite the ambiguity of generation labeling, it is frequently used in common discourse, news articles http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070918.OECD18/TPStory/National, and reference articles without deliberate clarification. It may or may not be possible to determine, from context, which meaning is intended.
to a new country before or during their early teens
. They earn the label the "1.5 generation" because they bring with them characteristics from their home country but continue their assimilation and socialization in the new country. Their identity is thus a combination of new and old culture and tradition.
Depending on the age of immigration, the community into which they settle, extent of education in their native country, and other factors, 1.5 generation individuals will identify with their countries of origin to varying degrees. However, their identification will be affected by their experiences growing up in the new country. 1.5G individuals are often bilingual and find it easier to be assimilated into the local culture and society than people who immigrated as adults.
Many 1.5 generation individuals are bi-cultural, combining both cultures - culture from the country of origin with the culture of the new country. Some notable members of 1.5 generation are: Elaine Chao
(immigrated from Taiwan to U.S. at the age of eight), David Ho (immigrated from Taiwan to U.S. at the age of twelve), and Karina Smirnoff
(immigrated from Ukraine to U.S. at the age of fourteen).
Here's a social network group on 1.5 generation: http://onepointfive.ning.com/
(日系) was coined by a multinational group of sociologists and encompasses all of the world's Japanese immigrants across generations. The parsing terms themselves were a kind of cultural baggage which accompanied the emigrants who left Japan because of opportunities in other lands.
The immigrant Nisei, their parents, children and grand children are changing the way they look at themselves and their pattern of accommodation to the non-Japanese majority. In the face of a declining birthrate and return migration, the Japanese government is also turning its attention to Issei, Nisei, Sansei and Yonsei emigrants.
- A citizen of the country who is a naturalizedNaturalizationNaturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
immigrant.
or
- A citizen whose parents are naturalized immigrants.
A "first-generation immigrant" may be someone living permanently in the country without becoming a citizen; descendants of such a person born in the country may automatically be citizens (different countries have different laws, and the laws change over time, with many changes in the early twentyfirst century).
There is no agreement on which of these meanings is normally to be understood; a typical discussion is to be found here.
The term "immigrant" is often considered to be rather disparaging; a person from a poorer country settling in a richer one would be called an immigrant, but people from a richer country permanently living in a poorer one might call themselves "settlers", or speak of retiring to, rather than immigrating into, a country with better weather and lower living costs.
Second generation immigrant
The ambiguity of this term extends to the term "second generation immigrant," which may refer to the first generation born in the new country, or the first generation born to parents who were themselves born in the new country. The term is not actually correct, as a "second-generation immigrant" is not an immigrant, although "second-generation Ruritanian" is correct. Incidentally, the less common term 1.5 generation was unambiguously coined to refer to those who immigrate early in life, thus remaining consistent to the notion that "first generation" refers to immigrants themselves, and "second generation" refers to the first generation of a family born in the new country.Generation labeling of immigrants is further complicated by the fact that immigrant generations may not correspond to the genealogical generations of a family. For instance, if a family of two parents and their two adult children immigrate to a new country, members in both generations of this family may be considered "first generation" by the former definition, as both parents and children were foreign-born, adult, immigrants. Likewise, if the two parents had a third child later on, this child would be of a different immigrant generation than its siblings. For every generation, the factor of mixed-generation marriages further convolutes the issue, as a person may have immigrants at several different levels of his/her ancestry.
Despite the ambiguity of generation labeling, it is frequently used in common discourse, news articles http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070918.OECD18/TPStory/National, and reference articles without deliberate clarification. It may or may not be possible to determine, from context, which meaning is intended.
1.5 generation
The term 1.5 generation or 1.5G refers to people who immigrateImmigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
to a new country before or during their early teens
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
. They earn the label the "1.5 generation" because they bring with them characteristics from their home country but continue their assimilation and socialization in the new country. Their identity is thus a combination of new and old culture and tradition.
Depending on the age of immigration, the community into which they settle, extent of education in their native country, and other factors, 1.5 generation individuals will identify with their countries of origin to varying degrees. However, their identification will be affected by their experiences growing up in the new country. 1.5G individuals are often bilingual and find it easier to be assimilated into the local culture and society than people who immigrated as adults.
Many 1.5 generation individuals are bi-cultural, combining both cultures - culture from the country of origin with the culture of the new country. Some notable members of 1.5 generation are: Elaine Chao
Elaine Chao
Elaine Lan Chao served as the 24th United States Secretary of Labor in the Cabinet of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. She was the first Asian Pacific American woman and first Chinese American to be appointed to a President's cabinet in American history. Chao was the only cabinet...
(immigrated from Taiwan to U.S. at the age of eight), David Ho (immigrated from Taiwan to U.S. at the age of twelve), and Karina Smirnoff
Karina Smirnoff
Karina Smirnoff is a Ukrainian professional ballroom dancer. She is best known for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars, where she held a runner-up title, a semi-final title, and several quarter-final titles...
(immigrated from Ukraine to U.S. at the age of fourteen).
Here's a social network group on 1.5 generation: http://onepointfive.ning.com/
Japanese immigrant parsing terms
The term NikkeiJapanese diaspora
The Japanese diaspora, and its individual members known as , are Japanese emigrants from Japan and their descendants that reside in a foreign country...
(日系) was coined by a multinational group of sociologists and encompasses all of the world's Japanese immigrants across generations. The parsing terms themselves were a kind of cultural baggage which accompanied the emigrants who left Japan because of opportunities in other lands.
| Generation | Summary |
|---|---|
| Issei Issei Issei is a Japanese language term used in countries in North America, South America and Australia to specify the Japanese people first to immigrate. Their children born in the new country are referred to as Nisei , and their grandchildren are Sansei... (一世) |
The generation of people born in Japan who later immigrated to another country. |
| Nisei Nisei During the early years of World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes in the Pacific coast states because military leaders and public opinion combined to fan unproven fears of sabotage... (二世) |
The generation of people born in North America, Latin America, Australia, or any country outside of Japan either to at least one Issei Issei Issei is a Japanese language term used in countries in North America, South America and Australia to specify the Japanese people first to immigrate. Their children born in the new country are referred to as Nisei , and their grandchildren are Sansei... or one non-immigrant Japanese parent. |
| Sansei Sansei Sansei is a Japanese language term used in countries in South America, North America and Australia to specify the children of children born to Japanese people in the new country. The Nisei are considered the second generation, grandchildren of the Japanese-born immigrants are called Sansei and... (三世) |
The generation of people born in North America, Latin America, Australia, or any country outside of Japan to at least one Nisei Nisei During the early years of World War II, Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated from their homes in the Pacific coast states because military leaders and public opinion combined to fan unproven fears of sabotage... parent. |
| Yonsei (四世) | The generation of people born in North America, Latin America, Australia, or any country outside of Japan to at least one Sansei Sansei Sansei is a Japanese language term used in countries in South America, North America and Australia to specify the children of children born to Japanese people in the new country. The Nisei are considered the second generation, grandchildren of the Japanese-born immigrants are called Sansei and... parent. |
The immigrant Nisei, their parents, children and grand children are changing the way they look at themselves and their pattern of accommodation to the non-Japanese majority. In the face of a declining birthrate and return migration, the Japanese government is also turning its attention to Issei, Nisei, Sansei and Yonsei emigrants.
Further reading
- Amaya, Ismael. (2010). "How First-Generation College and Underrepresented Students Can Overcome Obstacles to Attaining a College Education: Handbook for a New Family Tradition,"Paper 318. Applied Research Projects. Texas State University.