Developmental changes that immigrant children face include the pressure of assimilation or acculturation. Igoa (1995) believes that all immigrant children are faced with the pressure to assimilate into new the countries culture. Developmentally, this can be very challenging because immigrant children may feel that they have to change themselves to be like everyone else around them (e.g. denying their cultural heritage) in order to be fully accepted. Everyone at one time or another, can probably relate to feeling pressured to conform but for immigrant children it may include turning their back on their culture, language, dress, etc.., that may cause family tension.
Acculturation, is more inclusive and less rigid, immigrant children still hold their values and traditions closely but are able to thrive well between both cultures simultaneously. In my opinion, I find that AMIS is a school that is focused on acculturation. Leonel told me that, for him being allowed to speak Spanish in class helps him not forget his native language. He shared with me that his younger brother knows more English than Spanish and his father doesn’t like it because he wants his sons to know their native tongue.
Immigration truly affects everyone differently because the way in which many families immigrate to America and the availability of resources (family, money, etc..) directly influences their total experience from their native country to America. Both Igoa (1995) & Suarez-Orozco illuminated many of the problems immigrant parents with children come against. These challenges include: working multiple jobs, having to settle for lower status and paying jobs because college degree don’t transfer from one country to another, racism, and discrimination.
Immigration may affect the children negatively because they lose their friendships, ties to kinships and are placed in another country, where often times they do not speak the language. Igoa, suggested that because of the reasons mentioned above in regards to immigration, many children feel depressed, lonely and tired because they are forced to deal with societal, family, and school pressures all at one time.
Culture socializes all people in every part of our lives form birth until old age. Vaughn made an interesting point, in regards to culture and socialization. Latin American cultures emphasize the usage of tu and usted, when children are taught by parents how to distinguish between adults, professionals, and friends. This is a cultural transmission, that maybe in America (depending on your own families view) you may not be taught to greet adults any differently than from family members or peers. This is only one example but Igoa discusses that one of her students from Vietnam, was very reserved and made little eye contact with teachers. The girl’s native culture enforced those behaviors in children but they were seen as deviant in America. For this girl, it took her long time to open up and learn the American expectations of children in regards to interaction with teachers and peers.
For all immigrant children leaving a place of security (even though it may be a worn-torn country or an impoverished village) is hard but hopefully over time, teachers, social workers, school counselors and researchers can help ease the transition, allowing them to flourish in their new country.
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