What I hear about the common explanations for why people migrate to the United States is many parents want to give their children to get a better education. One of my relatives came to the United States when he was 20-years-old because his father was an immigrant. At first, his father chose to go to the United States because he just had a fantasy of the United States. At that time, immigration was almost to the United States because it has more opportunity to get a better job and education.
According to Yang theory, migration happens because push factors which are natural disasters, population pressures and pull factors which are economic opportunities, political preferences. I knew that poor people are migrant to rich country like United States to get a better life. However, in accordance with Yang theory, poor people are less likely to migrate, and Immigrants are not poor people from the poorest places.
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I agree that education could be a motivating factor in wishing for a better life. After all many people talk about the importance of education and how it could affect the future. I actually found that point about poor people are less likely to immigrate really interesting because we hear many stories of coming for a better life.
Education was also a huge reason for my family’s migration to America. I have always known this, but was surprised to learn from my aunt that Hong Kong had only THREE colleges in the 60s/70s, making a college education nearly impossible.
When Yang refers to the older notions of push-pull policy and how it is flawed due to the fact that it is not the poorest people migrating, I also find this to be true on a personal level. My father’s side of the family had two houses (apparently?!) before migrating to America. My aunt noted that in Hong Kong she did not live in the “huts” that the more poor citizens did, indicating to me that they were likely middle class.
Christal thank you for sharing the fact about how Hong Kong had such few colleges back in the day, I didn’t know that! Education was seen as a privilege, and only the rich and privileged could afford to send their children to college. It is like that in my country of origin, Pakistan, as well. Colleges were not so common back in the day and only the rich could afford to send their children to colleges. That’s unfortunate, and for that reason of not being able to afford education is also why many people migrate here where access to college education is much easier.
I agree, I think a lot of poor families cannot migrate. Migration, most of the time takes a lot of time, planning and money. In my opinion I think more middle class families leave in search of a better life elsewhere. I know if I was rich, I would have stayed in my country because I would be able to afford a better life but because my family are part of the hard working middle class, We decides to work our way to success financially and where better else to go than to the land of endless opportunity? America, or so they say.
I can understand and agree with the story you’ve shared, yes. My family also wanted me to come to America because they said I would have a better life. And the education in America is very good!
Hello, go! I agree with you, many people moved here for a better future of their kids, and when they finished their education they usually can find a decent salary job.