1. Don’t
assume
We tend to
make assumptions about the capabilities of immigrant children. However,
assumptions are wrong because they are not based on facts. If the truth really
does set us free, we must make the truth more important than our own
opinion.
A study was
done on how well immigrant youth are adapting to life in the United States. 6 They learned that although educators and
lawmakers assume that the transition to a new country has a negative impact on
psychological wellbeing, the evidence revealed that children of immigrant
parents adapt amazingly well. I can vouch for that! Immigrant students achieve
in school as well or better than students born of native parents. Their success
comes in many academic subjects, including English language and literature,
even though most speak their native tongue at home. They are also in better
health and less likely to be obese or miss school because of illness. In terms of self-esteem they feel as positive
about themselves as young people with native-born parents. They report less
emotional distress, are less likely to commit delinquent and violent acts, or use
drugs and alcohol.
Furthermore, youth from ethnic families who
face considerable family and economic hardships are remarkably successful.6 Immigrant parents are aware of the challenges
their children face, and they emphasize the importance of trying hard. They remind their children that educational
opportunities were not available in their countries, and as a result, they
themselves are often limited to menial jobs.
My cousin Monica Henriquez grew up in Los Angeles. When Monica’s parents
divorced, her mother immigrated to the U.S. and brought Monica with her. She
was raised among rough surroundings, but that didn’t prevent Monica from
getting a degree in molecular biology from Brigham Young University. In a
conversation I had with her, she expressed allegiance to family and community
over individual goals. Young people spend much time with their families and
feel a strong sense of obligation to their parents. They view school success as
one of the most important ways to repay their parents for the hardships they
endured coming to a new land. Monica, like Mayte Lara Ibarra or Larissa
Martinez, both Valedictorians who revealed they were undocumented immigrants at
their graduation speech, 7,8 are examples
of what family relationships and academic achievements do to protect these young
people from risky behaviors such as delinquency, early pregnancy, and drug use.
Another
false assumption is the belief that all Latinos are Mexicans. The truth is that
our Latin American heritage extends over many countries, and most Latinos are
united only by language. The Spaniards conquered many lands centuries ago,
placing Latin roots in over 22 countries in the Caribbean and in North, Central,
and South America. However, our cultural heritage comes from places as diverse
as Europe, Native America, Asia, and Africa. Our place of birth is important to
us. I refer to myself as Salvadoran, my husband as Uruguayan. As we meet fellow
countrymen, they want to know exactly where we came from, including city and
county. The same goes for Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, Bolivians, and so
on. Hispanics are sometimes perceived as a homogeneous group located primarily
in big cities. In reality, Hispanics are found in every little town throughout
the United States, including small towns in Utah. What is true is that the
Hispanics in Miami are not the same as the Hispanics who have moved to Los
Angeles or New York. For the most part,
you find fewer Mexican immigrants in Florida compared to Los Angeles and
relatively few Cubans in Los Angeles compared to Florida. Much of the
difference can be traced to geographic location and the historic moment the
immigration occurred.
To be continued,
Con amor,
Vero
2.
No comments:
Post a Comment