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Immigrant Age at Arrival and the Intergenerational Transmission of Ethnic Identification among Mexican Americans

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  • Brian Duncan
  • Stephen J. Trejo

Abstract

Analyzing microdata from the 2000 US census and the 2001–2019 American Community Surveys, we show that the age at arrival of Mexican immigrants exerts an important influence on ethnic identification not only for these immigrants but also for their US-born children. Among Mexican immigrants who arrived as children, the rate of "ethnic attrition"—or not self-identifying as Hispanic—is higher for those who migrated at a younger age. Moreover, the children of these immigrants exhibit a similar pattern: greater ethnic attrition among children whose parents moved to the United States at a younger age. Intermarriage is a key mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Duncan & Stephen J. Trejo, 2025. "Immigrant Age at Arrival and the Intergenerational Transmission of Ethnic Identification among Mexican Americans," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 451-456, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:451-56
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251125
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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