2003
Abstract:
Traditional assimilation theory predicts immigrant adaptation into society as a
function of catching up to status of U.S.-born non-Hispanic white households.
Recent Taiwanese immigrants, rather than climbing socioeconomic ladders
overtime, may have surpassed the socioeconomic status of whites soon after
arrivals, as measured by their homeownership attainment (Painter, Yang, and Yu
2003). This paper extends this research and specifically examines Taiwanese
immigrants’ high homeownership attainment. It reveals that (1) compared with
native-born whites, all Chinese subgroups have higher predicted homeownership
rates; (2) homeownership gaps between Taiwanese and other Chinese immigrants
are quite large among newcomers, converging somewhat over time; (3) Taiwanese,
who contributed to the surge in homeownership during the 1980s, were more likely
to be young, highly educated, and new immigrant households with incomes lower
than the median level; and (4) Taiwanese stand in contrast to other immigrants as
English proficiency, an indicator of assimilation, does not play a significant role in
their homeownership attainment. These outcomes may be an aggregate effect of a
large influx of well-off Taiwanese, family support, and cultural affinity for
homeownership. Further research is necessary on factors such as locational choice
and informal resources in immigrants' tenure choice.
