Ethnic Enclaves: Benefits of Immigration & Economic Growth - Essay Sample

Introduction

Ethnic enclaves are communities of one ethnic group highly concentrated in one particular location as a result of immigration patterns. According to Bohon, ethnic enclaves are metropolitan areas characterized by a concentration of businesses owned and managed by immigrants originating from the same country. Economic growth is one of the benefits of enclaves resulting from the increasing number of immigrants who in turn, pay taxes. An increased number of workers, both the skilled and non-skilled workforce, is used for economic growth. Political and social cohesion is another benefit of these enclaves. Newly arrived immigrants often no dot have any information regarding what their new country has politically, hence living in these enclaves will enable them to be well informed. However, poverty, religion, and cultural differences are some of the liabilities of enclaves.US is one of the most enclaved countries. This essay will discuss the history of these groups, their strengths, and liabilities and how they have contributed to the American culture.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

First, the Irish and Italian immigrants form one of the enclaves in the US. The Irish immigration to America involved a massive number of immigrants who settled mainly in the North-Eastern ports. The migration was as a result of tensions between the protestant British and catholic Irish and the potato famine of the 1840s. Italian immigration was, however, as a result of poverty. The culture of these groups was similar to that of the majority. The provision of cheap labor to the country by these two groups is one of the strengths. However, having support from the Catholic Church was an asset to the Irish; Catholics were not trusted by these Americans hence making them a liability. There was much prejudice against the Irish and were seen as arrogant and lacked self-control. On the other hand, Italians poverty was their primary liability. The majority of them were casual laborers who were willing to take any form of work.

The Chinese and Japanese formed another group of immigrants to the US. Chinese immigration came as a result of the discovery of gold in California. The Americans were, however, less welcoming because of their different cultures and physical appearance. With their hard work, they were nonetheless still mistreated by the Americans and were forced to move to San Francisco, where they set up businesses to cater for their own needs. The Japanese path was similar to that of the Chinese; however, they entered California through Angel Island. They underwent similar mistreatment from the Americans. They, however, were able to create thriving enclaves throughout Oregon and were able to establish themselves economically. Both groups were reduced; however,the Japanese organization was not able to coexist with the Chinese because of the differences in their cultural orientation.

Germans immigration was in search of farming land. Since they had money, they were able to venture beyond the overcrowded port cities. Germans had a significant influence on the culture of Americans. They were able to bring in their different foods, festivals, and drinks. Jewish immigrants form another ethnic enclave in America. However, the Jews were not readily accepted in the areas that they occupied because they were neither Christians nor Muslims. As a result, they were singled out for random persecution. As a massive number of Jews fled the pogroms, most of them ended up settling in the US. For the Jews to make a living, they were forced to sell goods on pushcarts. In as much as the Jews had no religious orientation, their rituals and beliefs helped protect them from different forms of illnesses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethnic enclaves form part of the American population. These different groups have been able to have a direct impact on the economic growth of America as a result of the large businesses and organizations set up. The groups have also been able to have a significant influence on the culture of the Americans. With poverty, cultural differences, physical appearance, and religion being some of the liabilities, the groups were able to find alternative ways to coexist among them, including doing casual jobs.