Leo Chavez’s book, Shadowed Lives-Undocumented Immigrants in American Society is a vital tool for communicating the much controversial topic in America, immigration. The book addresses factors that lead into the immigration process, the manner in which the process takes place, and the resultant influence that this whole process bears on their destination. Chavez convincingly communicates the challenges that result for both parties; the immigrants and their incorporation into the community and the pressure they put forth on the government and the people with whom they are supposed to live in the new places of residence.
In the first chapter, the setting, the author discusses well-paying labor that drives Mexicans out of their own home country to go and look for better opportunities, hoping to be back and ready to start better lives as the main reason behind the immigration (Chavez, 1998, pp.16). A warm reception by American laborers due to the enormity in manual labor available at this time gives a sufficient reason for these immigrants to feel tolerated in an alien land (Chavez, 1998, pp.20). The author briefs on the importance that exists in the two country’s governments’ interference in finding a permanent solution to this issue as it later contributes in adverse negative effects.
In the chapter Separation, Chavez discusses social and economic influences that this immigration has on undocumented immigrants and the American community at large. The Mexicans’ prolonged dependence upon the new land and their decisions to have settled lives is perceived as ignorance in the American community. Various sectors such as education and health suffer huge blows as they have to cater for a group that does not pay tax for the services they are offered by the government. With this knowledge, the American community does not tolerate a group that reaps from their efforts. Whether directly or indirectly affected by the effects of immigration, Americans will therefore be exceedingly discriminative against Mexicans (Chavez, 1998, pp.88).
The author looks into the new ways the immigrants devise to be able to survive in poverty conditions, and in a society without a government or agency to cater for their needs. Chavez looks into humanity that without which the case of immigrants is considered. Convincing techniques are used in giving the reader various ideas regarding immigration as a result of necessity for meeting human needs. Various institutions, such as the church’s failure to inform the public on the need to ethically consider the human requirements are also addressed as a matter of concern (Chavez, 1998, pp.120). The author aims at informing the author on the need that exists in dealing with the issue of illegal immigration with moderation, rather than forceful evacuations as has in the past suggested by various political leaders.
The content of this book has various implications on the influence that the main issue has on societal ethical factors such as gender roles in the society. In this, it can be realized that the effect of pressure upon immigrants is that women have no chance to exhibit their abilities and potential of power in the society. This is so as only men are left for the task of meeting the family needs, while women are left to accomplish domestic chores (Chavez, 1998, pp.97). Looking deep into the issue of the role of catering for children education, it can be learned that the early lives of the immigrant’s children are vulnerable to be guided by the notion that they bear no significance in the society (Chavez, 1998, pp.91). The book is instrumental for bringing change in racist cultures, replacing individualism with unity between cultures.
Diminishing of culture is a factor of concern that results from embracing the two different communities. In this case, this factor is resultant of accepting of the Mexicans into the American culture out of the need to have certain tasks accomplished at a low fee. The author addresses this factor with little relevance, as racial and ethnical matters bear little relevance in an American culture that comprises of diverse peoples from different ethnical backgrounds (Chavez, 1998, pp.170). However, it is fundamental to note that culture goes beyond the mere physically observable features and components to behavioral practices and beliefs. These vary greatly between the two peoples, and as many would notice, entrepreneurial habits exist more with Americans than Mexicans. It would therefore be difficult to accommodate these two groups in a single country.
This book has been influential in adding to my understanding of the human needs and requirements and their impact on societal stability. The book has also been instrumental in providing me with relevant skill necessary for tackling changes in an environment, and with this, I can be able to accommodate change easily. The book’s content however, fails to address all issues in the present state of affairs as great change has taken toll since the book was written. The author also ought to have addressed deeply on the need for the Mexican government to cater the needs of its people, and implementation of policies to cater for the immigration.
Bibliography
Chavez, Leo. 1998. Shadowed Lives-Undocumented Immigrants in American Society. New
York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
