Comments on: First Generation vs. Second Generation

By: Gordon

Gordon — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:48:16 +0000

I found this blog by wondering the same question. Both sides have some good points.

For me though (so far), the ones who immigrated here are the “original” generation, and the first ones born here are the first generation. They were “generated” here.

I was born in Canada. I was conceived, born, and raised here.
My dad’s parents moved here from England, and dad was born and raised here in Canada.
My mum’s parents: sired and raised my mother in Scotland. My mother moved here when she was an adult and married my father here…

Uh, oh!!

So, paternally I’m second generation English Canadian. Maternally, I’m first generation Scottish Canadian! (or if you look at it the other way, for the debate here….etc. etc…). I didn’t mean to make it more confusing, I just discovered this now!

I guess it comes down to a matter of one’s own perception as to what generation they are. Perhaps what’s best (and what’s been mentioned before) is saying “First generation born here”.

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By: JA

JA — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:50:52 +0000

Sorry, should have written "third generation born in this country". See how easy it is to leave it at the implied level?

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By: JA

JA — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:46:36 +0000

Amazing thread. I admit I always thought first generation meant one thing but did occasionally see it used differently, and honestly, just thought it was a misunderstanding. It seems to me that there is an answer that several writers touched on, but never really developed. Follow me on this: There are situations in English where words are implied, but left out. Example: "Close the door." (Implies YOU shut the door, but YOU is implied.) Thus, first generation American is implying something- either first generation American citizen or first generation born in America. In my family, the second one was the term meant (and often actually voiced, as in "you are third generation American" (great grandparents immigrated from Germany and my grandmother born in America). However if you mean "citizen" then the other definition obviously applies. Interestingly, it appears that different cultures or languages may influence which implied meaning is felt to be correct. An example is the Japanese words and concepts explained early on, vs. the Greek understanding of the opposite meaning. And yes, language is fun....

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By: Felix Giordano

Felix Giordano — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:20:58 +0000

Regarding this thread I've always considered first generation to refer to the first generation residing as citizens in this country. There is no other logiocal definition. Now as to what to call ourselves based upon our origins, the only correct reference would be 'Star Children' since we all evolved from the dust of the Universe. Once we all realize that fact our perspectives of each other should be enhanced and we will all be better off sharing this world of ours.

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By: porsche10x

porsche10x — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:38:19 +0000

Warren, we call people like you British (or British American if you prefer). The people who whipped the British and formed the United States were mostly British themselves. Oh, and while we're at it, if you were Native American, then we really should call you Asian American, since your ancestors would have come to the US from there, ten or twenty thousand years ago. As a matter of fact, all of us should really be called African Americans, since that's where we all started. As for what generation, I'm sure you can figure that out yourself.

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By: Warren Glenn

Warren Glenn — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:58:15 +0000

What are we called who did not immigtate from a foreign country to the United States, but were here when this country became the United States of America. My ancestors are the soldiers who took control of the colonies by whipping the British and then making this country The United States of America. I am not related to anyone who came from a foreign country to The U.S.

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By: Steven Hsu

Steven Hsu — Fri, 14 May 2010 23:09:59 +0000

Peter, According to the Census Bureau "if either parent is foreign born, children are second generation." Interesting. So if one parent can trace lineage to the Mayflower but the other parent is foreign born, the children are second generation. As far as assimilation, from my experience most second generation Americans think of themselves as assimilated. Almost all immigrants want to assimilate, although many have difficulties. Their children do not. It would take a special effort to prevent assimilation of one's native born children, especially with today's mass culture.

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By: Steven Hsu

Steven Hsu — Fri, 14 May 2010 22:51:51 +0000

William Wang: Technically (according to the Census Bureau) your father and you are both "first generation," as strange as that seems (father and son of the same generation). Perhaps, you are "1.5 generation." Obviously there is much ambiguity here and some of the distinctions presented here get blown apart by such situations. For example, for my entire childhood my father was a "resident alien" (the official term at the time for a Green Card holder). Later when I was an adult he became a naturalized citizen. So I was first generation until my father was naturalized at which time I became second generation. Interesting. According to the my interpretation of the Census Bureau definition, I was always second generation. My father was not an American (so "no generation") until he was naturalized at which time he became first generation, so during my childhood there was no first generation.

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By: William Wang

William Wang — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:40:05 +0000

My dad came to America on 1991 and then 10 years later rest of my family came. My dad and I both were born in China. He has green card now, and I became U.S citizen about 2 months ago. So my question is "Is both my dad and I consider first generation Americans or is my kids will be?

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By: David

David — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:52:50 +0000

It's very simple. The first immigrants who came here, even if the group included grandparents, parents and your older brother, are your "immigrant ancestors" and the first persons born here are "first generation Americans."

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