Living Arrangements and Social Inheritance among Second-Generation Immigrants in the United States at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century

Children of immigrants experience similar socioeconomic and institutional contexts as the majority population but are also influenced by cultural norms inherited from their parents’ countries of origin. Data from 1910, 1920, and 1930 census samples indicate how the country of origin influences the living arrangements of European second-generation immigrants in the United States. The findings suggest that children of immigrants tend to stay longer with their parents compared to individuals with native-born parents, indicating potential challenges in the adaptation process. However, variations based on the country of origin are evident, partially reflecting prevalent patterns in the transition to adulthood and thus suggesting the potential influence of cultural retention on second generations.