Immigrants from all over the world have been coming to the U.S.A. to live the dream for generations. The dream of a better life if not for themselves then at least for their children. Following the lines of the U.S.A, Canada has seen an immense growth of immigrants from different countries in recent years. This is mainly because of its friendly and welcoming immigration policies as well as the hope for a better life.
But we have all read about the struggles faced by immigrants and their children. Whether it is the cultural differences, poverty, inferiority complex, adaptability, or simply the language barrier. But despite these issues, the children of immigrants have thrived and succeeded in life. So, what sets them apart? What is it that children of immigrants are most successful at in Canada and the U.S.A?
Statistics show that children of immigrants in Canada outperform Canadian-born parents' children when it comes to education. In one of the reports by Statistics Canada, it was reported that 91.6% of children of immigrants graduate high school as against only 88.8% of Canadian-born children. The children of immigrants are in fact helping raise the level of education in Canada.
The same trend can be seen in the United States with children of immigrants outperforming children who were born there. Immigrant children perform and learn better in school and then make better transitions and secure better jobs as adults. This was the finding behind research conducted by sociologists from the John Hopkins University, which tracked nearly 11,000 immigrants from the time they were as young as 13 to their 30s.
American and Canadian kids when compared to immigrant children of similar backgrounds had certain disadvantages.
Immigrant children often come from backgrounds where they have seen poverty and difficult life. That’s why when they arrive in the land of freedom and dreams, they make an extra effort to do better, whether it is their education or later on in jobs. Their parents have higher expectations from them, so they make an additional effort in everything they do.
Another reason why they do well is their cultural diversity. Before coming to America or Canada, they lived their initial years in a different culture and society. So, they don’t just know the American culture but also a culture of their own. They make use of both these cultures and take the best of both along with them. This even helps them to transition into adulthood smoothly.
Immigrant children come with higher expectations from parents and work harder in school and eventually develop a better relationship with their teachers, which helps them do better in school. In fact, in most countries and particularly in Asia, teachers are respected and mean something in children’s life because they educate them.
Research and data might show that immigrant children are more successful than their American or Canadian counterparts but it does mean every immigrant child is successful. They have a tough time moving away from their home, friends, and their culture. But a majority of them can be seen to use this in their favor and work hard towards achieving their goal. That is their recipe for success!
