Ethnic culture and social mobility among second-generation Asian Americans. Issue 13 (20th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tran, Van C.
• Is Part Of: Ethnic and racial studies. Volume 39:Issue 13(2016)
• Page Start: 2398
• Page End: 2403
• Publication Date: 2016-10-20
• Subjects: Ethnic culture -- social mobility -- second generation -- assimilation -- inequality -- Asian Americans; Race -- Periodicals; Race relations -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Periodicals; 305.805
• DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2016.1200740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9870

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This review engages with Jennifer Lee and Min Zhou's The Asian American Achievement Paradox to consider how ethnic culture matters for social mobility among the immigrant second generation. It describes the strengths and contributions of the book, connects it to broader debates on culture, poverty, and mobility, and draws on my own research on the second generation in New York City. It highlights three additional cultural mechanisms that underlie the Chinese (or Asian) second-generation advantage: social class heterogeneity in the co-ethnic community, intergenerational support in the immigrant family, and the belief in achievements as redemption for parental sacrifice. While pointing out the similarities and differences between Los Angeles and New York, it also suggests possible applications of these cultural mechanisms in explaining second-generation achievements.