Occupations, National Identity, and Immigrant Integration

Rahsaan Maxwell

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This article examines strategies for immigrants to improve integration by exploring the relationship between occupational choice and assimilation. I ask whether immigrant-origin individuals will be viewed as better representatives of the nation when employed in occupations that reflect national identity. I examine this question with data from original surveys in France, Germany, and the United States. Results suggest that native and immigrant-origin individuals in occupations that reflect national identity are more likely to be seen as ideal representatives of the nation. Yet, the benefits of an occupation that reflects national identity are fairly minor for immigrant-origin individuals in France and Germany and roughly one third the size of the benefit for native-origin individuals. In comparison, native and immigrant-origin individuals in the United States have the same increase in likelihood of being seen as ideal representatives of the nation. These findings have implications for our understanding of immigrant integration and national identity.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)232-263
    Number of pages32
    JournalComparative Political Studies
    Volume50
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Feb 1 2017

    Keywords

    • Europe
    • immigrant integration
    • immigration
    • national identity
    • occupation
    • United States

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Sociology and Political Science

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