Americanization of New Immigrants People Who Come to America and What They Need to Know

by Singh, Jaswinder; Gopal, Kalyani

• ISBN13: 9780761822066
• ISBN10: 0761822062
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-05-28
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

Few people can argue that immigrating to a new country is both an exciting and difficult experience. Whether a person leaves his or her homeland because of political or social unrest or simply for the adventure of carving out a new life for one's self and family, the journey is often filled with questions and expectations. However, when that journey ends in the United States, the immigrant often finds that rather than ending, the path to a new life has just begun. Many immigrants view American society and culture with unrealistic perceptions that riddle the transition to American life with frustrations and despair. While many organizations strive to help immigrants adjust to life in America, the fact is that immigrants are unprepared and under-educated about American life. As a result, they are unable to adequately deal with the feelings they have when they arrive, namely dealing with adjustment disorders and anxiety reactions. Americanization of New Immigrants is a heartfelt and informative book that details how American society works and how immigrants need to prepare for the societal and cultural changes they are about to experience.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Preface	xv
Introduction	1	(10)
America, Americans, and the American Way of Life
What is America and Who are Americans?	11	(3)
The United States of America: A Country of Immigrants	14	(1)
U.S.-Born vs. Naturalized Citizens	15	(1)
Rights of Permanent Residents or Green Card Holders	16	(1)
Rights of U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents Under the U.S. Constitution	17	(1)
Myths About America and Americans	18	(1)
America and Its Political System	19	(2)
Streets of Gold in America: Fact or Fiction?	21	(1)
American Family Values, Family Relationships, and Family Structure	22	(1)
The U.S.A.: Melting or Meeting Pot?	23	(1)
Your Appearance and the Melting Pot	24	(1)
Your Accent and the Melting Pot	25	(1)
Your Name and the Melting Pot	25	(1)
Your Attitude Toward Other Ethnic Groups: It Matters	26	(1)
Unity Amidst Diversity: The United States --- A Unique Place to Live	27	(3)
Important Holidays and Dates Reflecting American Social and Cultural Heritage and Customs	30	(3)
What to Wear in the U.S.	33	(1)
Time is Money: Be on Time	34	(1)
Honesty and Truthfulness	35	(1)
Greetings and Courtesy	35	(1)
American Etiquette	36	(1)
The Opposite Sex and Sexual Harassment	37	(1)
Sexual Behavior of Americans	38	(2)
Gay and Lesbian Immigrants: Attitudes, Principles, and Laws	40	(1)
Be Careful: The United States Is a Litigious Society	41	(1)
Cigarette Smoking in the U.S.	42	(1)
American Fast-Food Culture	43	(1)
Healthy Living and the Health Club Culture of America	44	(1)
American Drive-Through Culture	45	(1)
The Recycling of Waste Material Campaign in America: Let Us Keep the Earth Clean	45	(1)
Laws Against Littering	46	(1)
Public Libraries: Extremely Useful	46	(1)
Beware of Fire	46	(1)
Disabled People	47	(1)
Parking Laws	47	(1)
Car Pools, Local Trains, and Buses	48	(1)
Time Zones in the U.S.	48	(1)
Units of Measurement: English vs. Metric System	49	(1)
You and Governmental Welfare Programs	49	(2)
The U.S. Tax Structure: Pay Your Taxes	51	(1)
Gun Laws in the U.S.	52	(1)
Immigrants and Criminal Behavior	53	(2)
The American Dream, Sponsorship, and Potential Immigrants
Are You in the Process of Emigrating to the U.S. or Are You Already in the U.S.?	55	(1)
Travel	55	(2)
What to Pack: Climate in the U.S.	57	(3)
Availability of Cash	60	(1)
Individuals and Families Who Bring New Immigrants to the U.S.	60	(3)
Tips for the Sponsoring Host Family and Sponsoring Individuals	63	(4)
Getting Started: Integration into American Life at the Individual and Community Level
First Things First: Learn English	67	(1)
Social Security Card	68	(1)
Your First Home in the United States: A Place to Live	69	(2)
Getting Started with Everyday Needs: Electricity, Telephone, Postal Services, Cable	71	(1)
Driving in the U.S.	72	(2)
Your Driver's License, and Your Responsibilities	74	(1)
Automotive Insurance	75	(2)
Buying a Car in the U.S.	77	(2)
Auto Clubs and Car Repairs	79	(1)
The Yellow Pages	80	(1)
Important Numbers to Remember	80	(2)
Dollars and Sense	82	(1)
Banking in America	83	(1)
Green Card, Blue Card, Credit Card	83	(1)
Credit Cards and the U.S. Credit System	84	(2)
Beware of Mail Order Sales	86	(1)
Looking for Your First Job in the U.S.	87	(2)
Temporary Services	89	(1)
Minimum Wage and Employment Laws in the U.S.	89	(1)
White-Collar Professionals and Business People	90	(3)
Blue-Collar Workers	93	(1)
Availability of Ethnic Foods	93	(1)
The Ethnic News Media	94	(1)
Communicating with Friends and Relatives in Your Home Country	94	(1)
Availability Of Diplomatic Resources	95	(1)
Americans and Their Love Affair with Hollywood	96	(1)
Television Watching in the U.S.	97	(1)
Morning and Daytime Television in the U.S.	98	(1)
Radio: An Inexpensive Source of Entertainment and Information	99	(1)
The Music Industry of the U.S.	99	(1)
The Sports Culture of the U.S.: Reflecting American Culture	100	(1)
Important Sporting Events	100	(2)
Downtown and Shopping Malls of America	102	(1)
Going Places in the U.S.	103	(1)
Aging in America: Important Age-Related Turning Points	103	(1)
Death and Dying in the U.S.	104	(1)
Culture Shock, the Cultural Recycling Process and Psychological Conflicts
Immigrants and Culture Shock	105	(1)
I Am a Teenager and I Have Just Come to America	106	(2)
Role of Parents	108	(1)
I Am a Student and I Have Just Come to the U.S.	109	(3)
Immigrants and Their Children: A Conflict of Values	112	(2)
A Few Facts for Immigrant Parents	114	(1)
Tips for Child-Rearing Practices in the U.S.	115	(1)
A Few Facts for Adult Immigrants	116	(1)
A Few Facts for Teenagers and Parents	117	(1)
What Elderly Immigrants Need to Know	118	(3)
The Mental Health of Immigrants and How to Preserve it
The Pleasures and Pains of Chasing the American Dream	121	(2)
Children and Teenagers and Their Mental Health	123	(2)
Child Abuse in the U.S.	125	(2)
Spousal Abuse	127	(1)
Elder Abuse	127	(1)
The Mental Health of Couples	128	(1)
The Relationship Between Men and Women as a Couple	129	(1)
Imported Spouses	129	(3)
The Mental Health of the Elderly	132	(3)
Epilogue	135	(8)
APPENDIX
Resources	139	(2)
Map of the United States of America	141	(2)
Index	143	(18)
About the Authors	161