The document discusses the psychological effects of American life on Latino immigrant children raised in the US. It notes that separation from immigrant parents, assimilation challenges maintaining cultural roots while adopting American culture, and low socioeconomic status can cause emotional and psychological problems for these children. This includes issues like poor academic performance, delinquent behavior, dropout rates, and involvement in crime. Studies show children with immigrant parents have lower self-esteem and view of their futures compared to children who immigrated with parents or were born in the US.

1. Psychological Effects of Hispanic Children in America
Running head: PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HISPANIC CHILDREN IN AMERICA
Psychological Effects of Hispanic Children Raised in America
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2. Psychological Effects Of Hispanic Children In America 1
The rise of immigrant children in America in recent years has drawn attention of social
and public institutions on the challenges facing them. Common challenges that face immigrant
children are poor English proficiency, low socioeconomic status and cultural shock of their
immigrant parents. Of interest are the psychological effects of American life on Latino
immigrant children raised in America.
Most researches conducted on the topic show that Latino children suffer from emotional
and psychological effects related to their immigration status. Hispanic children, whose parents
leave for the U.S. to seek greener pastures, suffer negative psychological, trauma, disruptions
and grief which are caused by the separation, reunification and migration of the family (Briones,
2009). These children also face poor language proficiency especially in English and cultural
assimilation problems since the language of communication at home are Latin as used by their
parents. Moreover, their parents insist on their children maintaining their Hispanic roots, making
presenting a challenge for the children to assimilate American culture while holding on to their
cultural roots. This confusion in assimilation creates emotional and psychological problems
manifested in poor grades, delinquent behaviour, drug abuse, early pregnancies high drop out
rates and involvement in crime (Lee et al., 2006).
Moreover, Latino children who had immigrant parents performed poorly in class due to
the psychological effects of their separation. These are often depicted as poor discipline and
emotional problems which are very noticeable in teenagers as compared to those of a younger
age. Moreover, studies have shown that children with immigrant parents suffer from their low
socioeconomic status, have poor self esteem of themselves and their future as compared to

3. Psychological Effects Of Hispanic Children In America 2
children who immigrated with their parents or who were born in America (Gindling & Poggio,
2009).

4. Psychological Effects Of Hispanic Children In America 3
References
Briones, P.L. (2009). Psychological Effects Encountered by Latino/A Immigrants Adjustign to
United States Culture. University of Wisconsin.
Gindling, T.H. &Poggio, S. (2009). Family Separation and the Educational Success of Immigrant
Children. Department of Public Policy, university of Maryland, 7: 1-5.
Lee, C., López, S., Cobly, S., Tejada, M., García-Coll, C., & Smith, M. (2006). Social processes
underlying acculturation: a study of drinking behavior among immigrant Latinos in the
Northeast United States. Contemporary Drug Problems 33(4), 585-609.