How does Immigration affect a person’s development?
Many people that make up the United States have migrated here from other countries. This shows us how diverse our country is and with this diversity comes a lot of cultural problems. Some people struggle to maintain their true self while trying to fit in to their new countries societal norms. Others may have identity crises from migrating such as Anon in the play Anon(ymous). Anon is a perfect example of how kids and families are affected by immigration and how hard it is to adjust. Due to these effects, immigration has a huge effect on a person’s development whether its positive or negative.
Immigration nowadays is either seen as illegal Mexicans coming to the United States and doing “bad” stuff or refugees escaping Syria or Iraq. This mentality has to be abolished because immigration is something many people do and it’s not just one certain group. These stereotypes really affect the people that are migrating. The immigrants might feel alienated and worthless which can really set them back. Without that support that they need, they may tend to lose hope and choose a wrong path. Some people may be resilient to these obstacles that they now face and be motivated to do so much more with their life’s, but the risk factors are so big that many immigrants are forced to live their life’s in fear instead.
With this fear that the immigrants have to life with, comes their social life. Many kids also migrate here, not just grown-ups which is another idea people need to clarify. Some kids are sent alone by their parents because their families want them to escape poverty and get a better life which isn’t guaranteed but they’re willing to take the risk. According to an article by UNICEF, “Independent migrant children are significantly affected by the absence of protection and support from their families, and by the challenges of their new situations after migration.” This quote is crucial to understand because these kids are not only losing everything they’re used too but they are also left to face a new world all on their own. It’s almost unimaginable to think that a eighteen-year-old or younger can be sent to another country to help their family and themselves, however, this is happening. Not all kids come alone but they all face similar things, discrimination, identity crises and some may even experience PTSD.
Kids who came with their families may be given an education compared to the kids that come alone. Although they get to go to school it may not all be as perfect as people think. The kids can experience bullying because of their nationality, they may have to learn the language of the new country and this can set the kid behind academically. Some kids may be put in special education classrooms because of things such as language. The kid may also be traumatized that they are also put in those classrooms, they may not want to speak or socialize. They also are trying very hard to fit in and as a child that’s developing everything can be so confusing. Another effect kids may face is not having that much reinforcement from their parents due to the language barrier and fear. Some families are made of many different legal statuses’ which is known as “mixed status families” according to Luis H. Zayas and Mollie H. Bradlee. This doesn’t mean that the kids don’t have motivation from their families, support can be given regardless of the language. What does affect the kid is not having their parents as involved in their academic life as native parents may be to their kids. If the parent is illegal they could be fearful of being caught and separated so they decide to stay inside there are of comfort. It is clear to see that kids with undocumented parents have more struggles compared to kids whose parents are from the country.
In the play Anon(ymous) we can see many things that were mentioned previously. Not only did Anon lose his mother during their immigration journey but he fits in with the group of kids that end up alone. Anon has to face the world alone and due to his traumatic past, he doesn’t know who he is or if he’s even worth something. Anon is bullied by people in power which can be a factor of his low self-esteem. Nowhere in the play did Anon go to school, he was too busy trying to survive and figure out what he should do next and where his family went. All these struggles can be relatable to kids that have experienced immigration.
Due to my research I was able to dig deeper into Anon(ymous). Reading it isn’t enough to understand the play. After many discussions and research, we are able to see the underlying factors of the play. Immigration is just one tiny topic next to the many the play touches upon. Immigration is a crucial part in the play and in Anons life. Anon struggles throughout the play because of all the negative things that come with immigration. Many people are on the same boat as Anon; each with a different story but they all have one thing in common: hope.
Works Cited:
Luis H. Zayas and Mollie H. Bradlee, Illegal Immigration
UNICEF, ” Migration and Children”,
Questions:
- Is my thesis clear and arguable?
- Is the connection between Anon(ymous) and my research clear?
- Does the paper flow?
- Are there parts I should take out or expand on?
Kayla,
This is a really good start — you’re definitely onto something important here! As you continue drafting, I would encourage you to be a little bolder/more specific in your claim/thesis. For example, right now, you’re presenting the thesis of “immigration has a huge effect on a person’s development whether its positive or negative.” I think it would help to get very specific, here. What kinds of huge effects are you looking at? Which immigrants? When? I ask this especially because you point out the U.S.’s history of migration — everyone here, indeed, is a migrant/descended from migrants except Native Americans (colonialism, genocide, etc). African Americans descend from forced migration — enslavement. Do you have to go into all these things? Of course not. But I bring them up to illustrate that there are many specifics involved in that broad statement, and it would be helpful to use Anon(ymous) to help you make a more grounded claim and center your paper around that.
I’d also encourage you to integrate more specific examples from Anon(ymous) into the paper. You do that a little in the second half, but for example, I think some Calista quotes would be really illustrative of your point, even in the second paragraph of your paper (where you’re talking about horrific, racist attitudes toward immigrants of color). That kind of connection-making (between your research and very specific moments in the play) will really ground your paper and help you, I think, reach a more specific, targeted thesis.
I’m excited by where you’re going — I think you have a lot to offer here! Looking forward to seeing where you go!!
JP