Both Sullivan and Guest discuss the positives and negatives of the ethnic enclave theory of Portes and other common community/habitual occurrences. Both look at Chinatown as a specific example and one thing that stood out to me in Sullivan’s was the mention of carrying over of tradition from China. For example, group business loans and repayment are enforced simply by the shame and family disgrace that would be brought upon them if they do not. Furthermore, Guest describes the Chinese “cultural notion of male supremacy” which is reinforcing gender discrimination in the ethnic enclave. This cultural tradition has been instilled so well in the home country that it is brought over and defining how the change is taking place. For example, the Chinese may be living and working in a cross-beneficial industry but the values by which they are still living counter the “American” values that they came here to and are expected to adapt.

Sullivan also briefly touches upon the fact that, especially in the Cuban enclave, the children will outperform their parents in “ethnic skill differences” and “power in ethnic network.” There is an obviousness to this, as they are born into the United States. However, I couldn’t help but relate this to the previous observation. Parents will raise their children with the traditions that were instilled in them and this is what keeps immigrants different from the natives and hinders assimilation ins ome ways.

– Lucy Snyder