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Title: Age at Arrival, English Proficiency, and Social Assimilation Among U.S. Immigrants

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2010

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Abstract: Are U.S. immigrants English proficiency and social outcomes the result of their cultural preferences, or of more fundamental constraints? Using 2000 Census microdata, we relate immigrants English proficiency, marriage, fertility and residential location variables to their age at arrival in the U.S., and in particular whether that age fell within the critical period of language acquisition. We interpret the differences between younger and older arrivers as effects of English-language skills and construct an instrumental variable for English-language skills. Two-stage-least-squares estimates suggest that English proficiency increases the likelihood of divorce and intermarriage. It decreases fertility and, for some, ethnic enclave residence.

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Authors: Bleakley, Hoyt; Chin, Aimee

Periodical (Full): American Economics Journal: Applied Economics

Issue: 1

Volume: 2

Pages: 162-192

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Migration and Immigration

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