Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

“Inheriting The Homeland? Intergenerational Transmission Of Cross-Border Ties In Migrant Families,”, Thomas Soehl, Roger Waldinger

Roger D Waldinger

Theories of migrant transnationalism emphasize the enduring imprint of the premigration connections that the newcomers bring with them. But how do the children of migrants raised in the parents’ adopted country develop ties to the parental home country? Using a structural equation model and data from a recent survey of adult immigrant offspring in Los Angeles, this article shows that second generation cross-border activities are strongly affected by earlier experiences of and exposure to home country influences. Socialization in the parental household is powerful, transmitting distinct home country competencies, loyalties, and ties, but not a coherent package of transnationalism. Our …