Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The children of immigrants
are healthier (in all ethnic groups) than children in native born families (of the same ethnic group), according to "Future of Children, Vol. 14, no., Summer, 2004 [Brookings]. Although it is downplayed, the reason seems to be they are more likely to be raised in two parent families. So regardless of poverty, lack of health insurance, over crowding, poor housing and poor education of their parents, they are healthier than native born. What a little marriage can do!
"According to several measures, children born to immigrant mothers are healthier than those born to U.S.-born mothers, on average. For example, infant mortality rates are lower among immigrant mothers, and their babies are less likely to be born with low birth weights. Also, children of immigrants are reported to experience fewer health problems across a wide range of conditions-from injuries and physical impairments, to infectious diseases and asthma.
Moreover, children in immigrant families are more likely than children in U.S.-born families to live with two parents in the home, with a father who works and a mother who does not work. As detailed in the article by Hernandez in this journal issue, the percentage of children of immigrant families living in a single-parent household is only about 16%, compared with 26% for children of U.S.-born families."
Through time and across generations, health deteriorates as families assimilate--multi-generational homes become single parent families with mom working outside the home. Maybe they should be told that at the border?
"According to several measures, children born to immigrant mothers are healthier than those born to U.S.-born mothers, on average. For example, infant mortality rates are lower among immigrant mothers, and their babies are less likely to be born with low birth weights. Also, children of immigrants are reported to experience fewer health problems across a wide range of conditions-from injuries and physical impairments, to infectious diseases and asthma.
Moreover, children in immigrant families are more likely than children in U.S.-born families to live with two parents in the home, with a father who works and a mother who does not work. As detailed in the article by Hernandez in this journal issue, the percentage of children of immigrant families living in a single-parent household is only about 16%, compared with 26% for children of U.S.-born families."
Through time and across generations, health deteriorates as families assimilate--multi-generational homes become single parent families with mom working outside the home. Maybe they should be told that at the border?
# posted by Norma : 5/23/2006 08:20:00 PM
