Today's second generation: evidence from the 1990 U.S. census

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Immigration Studies

Background:

• The social, economic, and demographic status of the second generation significantly influences their future prospects.
• Understanding the characteristics of children of immigrants is crucial for social and economic policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive statistical portrait of the second generation in the United States using 1990 Census data.
• To analyze the social, economic, and demographic circumstances of children with at least one foreign-born parent.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the 1990 U.S. Census of Population and Housing.
• Categorization of the second generation as individuals under 18 with at least one foreign-born parent.
• Breakdown of data by parental immigration year and child's nativity, with comparisons to children of native-born parents.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of the second generation's place of residence.
• Analysis of household demographic, social, and economic circumstances.
• Examination of household head's socioeconomic status and children's characteristics.

Conclusions:

• The 1990 Census data offers a foundational snapshot of the second generation's situation.
• Further research can build upon this demographic and socioeconomic profile to track long-term outcomes.