Living Arrangements of European Second-Generation Immigrants in the United States at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century

The dominant norms of mainstream society usually shape the living arrangements of children of immigrants. However, literature has highlighted the role of long-term cultural factors acquired in the country of origin and transmitted by immigrant parents to their children. This study analyses data from the 1910, 1920 and 1930 IPUMS census samples to investigate how the country of origin affects the living arrangements among young children of European second-generation immigrants in the US. The results indicate that, compared to the US white population, children of immigrants tend to stay longer with their parents. However, differences by country of origin emerge, partially reflecting prevailing patterns of transition to adulthood and thus suggesting the potential impact of cultural maintenance on second generations.