Italians Then, Mexicans Now: Immigrant Origins and Second-Generation Progress, 1890 to 2000

Author: 
Perlmann, Joel
Year: 
2005
Publisher: 
Russell Sage Foundation
Publication Location: 
New York, NY
Description: 

The author uses a century of Census data and other research to present a comprehensive comparison of contemporary Mexican immigrants with the progress of Italians who came at the beginning of the last century. The book examines wages, schooling, and economic outcomes to show that Mexican second-generation progress, though slowed, is better in several respects than earlier Italian generations. Key recommendations to boosting progress include reversing the growing wage inequality in the United States, legalizing undocumented Mexican immigrants, and improving high school graduation rates.

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