why do you think immigrants quit school in early ages?

Answer 1

Skool? we no need no stinkin' skool mang!

Answer 2

It doesn't seem there's much hope if the family isn't supportive of an education or learning English. Plus...it seems there's a better financial payoff in illegal endeavors than it is to go about things the right way. I used to see the little ones try so hard and be just great kids.....then once they hit middle school.....it was down hill. I felt the worst for the girls. It's mostly them who seem to become the family translator and the ones expected to help care for siblings and keep the guys happy. Most don't make it till their 15 before they're pregnant and the cycle starts again. It's alot easier to sell drugs or guns or stolen property than it is to study for a regular job or get pregnant and stay pregnant to keep the aid comming. I mean I couldn't have a quiet evening for all the partying down the street. How on earth is a kid going to be able to study in that environment? If anything for a buck is good enough.....where's the incentive to reach higher?

Answer 3

because the US isn't really the promise land it's made out to be. it's expensive!!! i don't think a lot of immigrants realize this...and they need to help out their parents financially. also, in their home country, perhaps people do not continue their education as often, and they don't realize how important it is here, to finish school.

we have such a feel good, PC society. i have sat around and heard teachers tell ESL students, "oh it's ok..you can get a good job with a high school diploma" which is a load of bull! when these kids hear "good job" they are thinking "new car, house, electronics" when the teacher is thinking "food, shelter." they need to tell them the truth!! maybe then they will understand the importance of finishing and continuing school.

Answer 4

I liked Crazybird's answer.
You didn't specify, but I'm assuming you had Latino immigrants in mind?
I can say the following, I'm Latino myself, but here are the reasons:
*Unfortunately, to many Latino immigrants, the main preoccupation is to have a roof, a plate of food everyday, have faith in God, and to enjoy life.
*Delayed gratification is a difficult concept for many of them to understand -- if they don't see quick results, they grow frustrated and bitter
*My parents spoke very little English. My sister got married early, so during my h.s. years I was the family translator -- this included making phone calls, accompanying a parent to doctors appointments, etc. I once had a heated argument with my dad because I suggested he should try to learn English - he got furious
*My father also felt he was obligated to send money to his sister (a healthy adult who avoided work, mind you),
*and he had the intentions of saving so he could return to his country someday
*so naturally, Dad was a bit short on the finances, which was a straing when it was time for me to go to college - I got accepted to a decent private university, but due to finances I had to settle for a second-rate two year college
*In addition, my parents were members of a religious group and expected me to be active as well (many latino immigrants tend to join these type of groups)

I'm surprised I got as far as I did - I earned my associates degree and working on my bachelors now, and in addition I have a decent-paying job.

The experiences outlined above are not typical to myself. These are the common problems faced by the children of immigrants. The distractions and financial burdens are what causes them to quit h.s.; and if they do finish h.s., college is a remote possibility

Answer 5

I don't believe that blanket statement is valid. Some do quit because they need income from work NOW, as opposed to the idea of getting more income later with a degree. Most immigrants, whether Latino or European, that I have known have valued education for their kids very highly.

Answer 6

I know many immigrants who completed high school and even went to some technical school or studied nursing. The thing is that some don't have papers and some that have papers don't want to learn English or validate their certificate here.

Answer 7

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MYTH: The cost of not educating undocumented children is higher than the cost of educating them.

TRUTH: This kind of statement is absurd. It assumes that disallowing illegal alien children into our schools and/or deporting them is not an option. The idea that undocumented children are being punished for the bad deeds of their parents is ludicrous. Undocumented children already have citizenship in another country that is responsible for their education. California schools have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding who gets to go to school. This policy is a powerful magnet that attracts illegals to California. The costs are enormous. Undocumented children are being rewarded, not punished.

Few disagrees that if the current rate of illegal immigration continues, a school a day will have to be built to accommodate the undocumented children and citizen children of undocumented parents.

Answer 8

Possibly the need to support themselves and/or their family's. The same reason American kids drop out.Its an epidemic and we need to find the cure.
Intelligence is quantitatively measurable by modern tests and is dominated by a unitary general cognitive ability.

Answer 9

It is hard to go to school when the family is moving around a lot.

Answer 10

family economics. i think they are made to work rather than get an education. i also feel as if the communication gap doesn't help either.

Answer 11

Many come from cultures that do not value education.