What advantages might immigrants gain by forming communities of their own? What might be the disadvantages?

Question

Mid 1800s; German and Irish immigration.
All answers appreciated, thank you.

Answer 1

Ghettos of ethnic immigrants are as old as the country itself. The primary reasons that people of similar ethnic backgrounds congregate in similar locales are:

1. Often friends and family live there and will help them transition into their new country by giving them a place to live and connecting them with employers. In addition, people from your own ethnic background generally can speak your language and help you to traverse immigration bureaucracy and paperwork.

2. People of modest means can pool their resources to make ends meet, especially on expensive items like food and rent (the US is generally has a much higher cost of living than the countries from which the immigrants are coming).

3. Living with people from your own ethnic background provides a sense of security in a foreign land - there is strength in numbers and new immigrants are often the victims of abuse and discrimination.

4. Being around others like yourself helps to combat the doubt and homesickness you feel when you leave your home country forever (imagine leaving the US, never to come back - that's what happens to refugees).

5. Family and ethnic conventions might compel you to live in these ethnic enclaves. For example, Mexicans are highly family centric so many could not imagine living away from their immediate and extended families.

I hope that helps. Think about it, if you were moving permanently to a new country, wouldn't you live near people who know?

Disadvantages are the failure to integrate into the traditions and opportunities in your new country. That is, you may get stuck in a rut instead of opening yourself to the wide variety of opportunities that might be available.

Answer 2

I can not think of any advantages. I grew up on the East coast and many of the communities were not intergrated. So, being Irish, I could not go into East Boston because the Italians "owned" that area. Jamaca Plains were Blacks, Dorchester, Irish, Glouchester, Portugese, Revere Beach were Jewish. It does not seem advantagous, it promoted segregation.

Answer 3

Advantages: support in getting to know the new territory and customs, feeling of home.
Disadvantages: not integrating and becoming too dependent on those who have.