Intergenerational mobility in the post-1965 immigration era: estimates by an immigrant generation cohort method

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Demography
• Immigration Studies

Background:

• The post-1965 immigration era's second generation is examined.
• Intergenerational mobility is assessed for men and women across four major racial/ethnic groups.
• Status attainment is compared to parents and rising societal standards (native-born non-Hispanic whites).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess intergenerational mobility among second-generation immigrants.
• To introduce and apply the immigrant generation cohort method.
• To clarify inconsistencies in the literature and highlight group differences.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the immigrant generation cohort method, tracking individuals from 1980 (as children) to 25 years later (as adults).
• Analyzing multiple indicators of status attainment: educational (high school/college completion), occupational (upper white-collar), economic (poverty), and housing (homeownership).
• Comparing mobility across racial/ethnic groups, genders, and outcome measures.

Main Results:

• The immigrant generation cohort method reveals greater intergenerational mobility than alternative approaches.
• Women exhibit higher intergenerational progress than men.
• Findings vary across racial/ethnic groups, aligning with some expectations and contradicting others.

Conclusions:

• Second-generation immigrants demonstrate substantial upward mobility, particularly women.
• The novel cohort method provides a more comprehensive understanding of immigrant progress.
• Disparities in mobility exist across racial/ethnic groups and outcome indicators.