Full Citation

Title: Determinants of Bilingualism Among Children

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2014

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Abstract: This paper analyzes the determinants of bilingualism (i.e., speaks a language other than English at home) among children age 5 to 18 years in the American Community Survey, 2005-2011. Two groups of children are considered: those born in the US (native born) and foreign-born children who immigrated prior to age 14 (the 1.5 generation). The analyses are conducted overall, within genders, and within racial and ethnic groups. Bilingualism is more prevalent if the parents are foreign born, less proficient in English, of the same ancestry (linguistic) group, and if the child lives in an ethnic (linguistic) concentration area. Although the effects are relatively smaller, a foreign-born grandparent living in the household increases child bilingualism, while a higher level of parental education tends to decrease it. Children of Asian and especially of Hispanic origin are more likely to be bilingual than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. Native-born Indigenous children are more likely to be bilingual.

Url: ftp://ftp.iza.org/RePEc/Discussionpaper/dp8488.pdf

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Authors: Chiswick, Barry R.; Gindelsky, Marina

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Publication Number: 8488

Institution: IZA

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Publisher Location: Bonn, Germany

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Education, Gender, Housing and Segregation, Migration and Immigration, Other, Race and Ethnicity

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