The 0.5 Generation - by Víctor Zúñiga & Silvia E Giorguli (Hardcover)

About the Book

"At the beginning of the twenty-first century, a generation of children crossed the border from the United States to begin their lives anew in Mexico. While all were international migrants, their roots spread far and wide. Some were migrant returnees born in Mexico; others had only ever known a life in the United States. There, they were members of the so-called '1.5 Generation' of immigrants. Yet in Mexico, the attempt to define these youths' identity in relation to their new home is much more difficult, yielding new insights into our contemporary understanding of assimilation and belonging. This book is the product of two decades' worth of rich, interdisciplinary dialogue and research on these children's trajectories, tracing their complex journeys of integration--and the lack thereof--into Mexican society and institutions"--

Book Synopsis

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, a generation of children crossed the border from the United States to begin their lives anew in Mexico. While all were international migrants, their roots spread far and wide. Some were migrant returnees born in Mexico; others had only ever known a life in the United States. Distinguishing returnees from new arrivals seems simple, but defining these youths' affiliations in their new homes in Mexico is much more complex and yields new insights that enrich our contemporary understanding of inclusion and belonging.

This book is the product of twenty-five years' worth of fruitful interdisciplinary dialogue and research on these children's trajectories, tracing their journeys and studying integration--or lack thereof--into Mexican society and institutions.

From the Back Cover

"Among the virtues of this book is the introduction of a new permutation to the generational concept: to the now-conventional distinctions of 1, 1.5, and 2 generations, Victor Zúñiga and Silvia Giorguli add a new twist: the 0.5 generation. The majority of 0.5 children were born in the United States and hence can return at any time, with all the rights and privileges of U.S. citizens. The concept of the 0.5 generation is a brilliant innovation and one that should become part of the migration toolkit."--Roger Waldinger, University of California, Los Angeles

"This book is one of a kind! The inclusion of two decades of research across states in Mexico and to some extent the United States is a gem and a gift to the field. The authors have put together a wealth of research, wisdom, insights, and analysis to focus on students whose lives are not defined by or cannot be placed within a specific country. It is a book that is grounded in theory and rich with information for educators, policy makers, and scholars."--Tatyana Kleyn, The City College of New York

About the Author

Víctor Zúñiga is Professor of Sociology at the School of Law, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico, and Emeritus Professor of Mexico's Sistema Nacional de Investigadores. He is coauthor of Les Sources de la Sociologie.

Silvia E. Giorguli is President of El Colegio de México, where she has served as professor and director of the Center for Demographic, Urban and Environmental Studies. She was President of the Mexican Society of Demography and is a member of Mexico's Sistema Nacional de Investigadores.