In-Depth Notes on 'Mexican New York: Transnational Lives of New Immigrants' by Robert Smith

Overview of Mexican New York

Author: Robert Smith
Reviewed By: Peggy Levitt
Source: Sociological Forum, Mar 2008, Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 198-202
Publisher: University of California Press, 2005

The review discusses Smith's examination of the experiences of Mexican immigrants in New York City and their ties to their homeland, focusing on various aspects of transnational life.

Key Contributions of "Mexican New York"

  • Transnational Perspective: The book provides a transnational perspective on migration, analyzing both the integration of immigrants in the U.S. and their connections to their home country.

  • Field Work: Smith's findings are based on 15 years of ethnographic fieldwork in the rural Mexican town of Ticuani, which helps highlight the interplay between local and global forces.

Concepts of Transnational Life

  • Transnational Practices: Defined as practices that maintain links between migrants and their home countries, shaping their identities.

  • Social Structures: Emphasizes how these practices are embedded in social identities and structures.

Ethnographic Approach

The book employs ethnographic methodologies that mirror earlier urban studies while extending across different spaces (New York and Mexico). This approach demonstrates how sociocultural interactions produce new forms of social organization, revealing inequalities and resource distribution among the migrants.

Social Patterns in Transnational Fields

Political Community Formation

  • Examines how local politics in Ticuani are influenced by both global trends and local negotiations.

  • Considers the role of Mexican gangs in New York in relation to social issues in Ticuani, such as increased gang activity and violence stemming from the growing influence of younger migrants.

Second Generation's Identity

  • Addresses the complexities faced by the second generation of migrants. Survivors of a transnational upbringing must navigate different cultural expectations and norms.

  • Critics traditionally view assimilation as isolated within the host country, but Smith illustrates the continuous negotiation of identity influenced by both the U.S. and Mexican contexts.

Gender Dynamics in Migration

Gender Roles Negotiation

  • Masculinity and Femininity: Discusses varying masculinity configurations in Mexico ("ranchero masculinity") versus adaptations in New York.

  • Migrant Womanhood: Smith identifies four models of women within this context—each varying in dependence and independence as they navigate relationships and cultural expectations.

Young Men and Gender Identity

  • Mexican-American boys struggle with multiple cultural identities, reconciling traditional masculine roles with the demands of modern life in the U.S.

Evolution of Transnational Attachments

  • Attachment to cultural heritage shifts as the second generation ages; their participation in cultural practices changes through adolescence to adulthood.

  • The implications for involvement in homeland communities are nuanced—the youth seek cultural affirmation during critical identity formation but drift away as adulthood presents new responsibilities and challenges.

Conclusion and Contributions to Scholarship

  • Reflexive Social Science: Smith advocates for the case study method, arguing it uncovers how transnational practices structure second-generation lives. He criticizes the focus on generalizability in social science and emphasizes the rich insights gained from in-depth, community-focused research.

  • Reframing Assimilation Discussions: His work disrupts traditional narratives surrounding immigrant adolescence, demonstrating that their lived experiences do not simply reflect a backdrop of cultural conflict but are shaped by unique transnational circumstances.

References for Further Reading

  1. Alba, Richard, and Victor Nee. (2003). Remaking the American Mainstream: Assimilation and Contemporary Immigration. Harvard University Press.

  2. Haller, William, and Patricia Landolt. (2005). "The Transnational Dimensions of Identity Formation: Adult Children of Immigrants in Miami." Ethnic and Racial Studies, 28(6), pp. 1182–1214.

  3. Kasinitz, Philip et al. (2004). Becoming New Yorkers: Ethnographies of the New Second Generation. Russell Sage.

Smith, Robert. (2008). Mexican New York. Sociological Forum, 23(1), 198-202.

This review provides an examination of the experiences of Mexican immigrants in New York City, with a focus on their transnational ties. Smith's work sheds light on the integration of immigrants into American society while maintaining connections to their homeland. He bases his findings on 15 years of ethnographic fieldwork in Ticuani, Mexico, emphasizing how local and global forces interact in shaping the lives of these migrants. The study highlights key concepts such as transnational practices and social structures, illustrating their impact on identity formation and community dynamics among the second generation of immigrants.