The second generation

The children of immigrants are central to the future of the large cities of western Europe and the United States and of the countries surrounding these cities.¹ Not only do young people from immigrant backgrounds make up a large and growing share of their populations, they will also steadily replace the native-born baby boom generation as it ages out of the workplace and positions of influence. It is critical, then, that these young people are prepared- and enabled- to realize their full potential. Their success in school; finding good jobs; forming solid families; identifying strongly, if not uncritically, with their countries of birth; and participating fully in civic and political life augur well for the future. If many drop out of school, lack work, rely on welfare, or form an alienated new urban poor, the chances that western European and American societies can live up to the values they profess will drop sharply.