Some aspects of the socio‐cultural adjustment of recent Soviet immigrants to the United States*

Abstract

The sociocultural adjustment of recent (1972-80) Soviet immigrants was analyzed in a survey of 900 Soviet Jewish families in 14 US cities. In 1980 83% of the men and 75% of the women in the sample were in the labor force full-time with incomes averaging US$14607 adn US$7627 respectively. THe respondents education technical skills and previous experience of living in large urban cities facilitated their entry into skilled positions in the labor force. 35% of respondents reported they were very satisfied with their jobs and 49% were moderately satisfied. A large majority indicated their lives are better in the US than in the Soviet Union with respect to housing income overall standard of living and Jewish aspects. However most felt their lives were better in the Soviet Union in terms of cultural life friendships and social status. 75% of respondents claimed that learning English represented a major problem in resettlement and 50% were attending special English classes. 26% of the families lived in mostly Jewish neighborhoods 53% in mixed Jewish and non-Jewish neighborhoods and 16% in non_Jewish neighborhoods. 72% said that all of their close friends were Jews and 55% noted that all their friends were recent Soviet immigrants. Less than 2% of respondents were involved with Zionist organizations and only 8% wee active in a Russian Jewish group. Within 5 years 60% expect to have an income comparable to that of the average American family and 24% anticipate above average incomes. 16% of respondents indicated they are very happy with their situation 62% are pretty happy and 22% are not too happy. Immigrants who arrived before 1978 were more likely to say they are very happy than later arrivals (35 vs. 11% respectively). When asked what choice they would make if they could do it again 86% said they would come to the US 5% would opt to remain in the Soviet Union 6% would migrate to Israel 1% would select another country and 2% did not respond.

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