Little italy - Research Paper Example

However, Italian Harlem is currently composing of more Spanish Americans as compared to those from Italian origin. In this regard, Little Italy in lower Manhattan serves as a perfect representation of Italian populations in modern America. Currently, Little Italy in New York is characterized by numerous restaurants selling Italian cuisine. In addition, streets along this region are laced with several convenience stores selling products preferred by Italian consumers. History of Little Italy Historically, Little Italy in Manhattan was founded in the late 19th Century during immigration of Europeans into the US.

Supposedly, Europeans from different countries including Spain, Italy and Britain were moving in mass numbers into the US. During the movement, thousands of Italians entered into the United State’s west coast. Since Europeans preferred urban settlements, most Italians moved from the cost and settled in areas around New York metropolitan. In 1910, population of Americans from Italian ancestry living in the region was approximately 10000. This does not mean that the entire population of Little Italy was ten thousand.

Other people, especially Chinese immigrants were living with Italians within the city. As of 2011, demographic statistics shows that Little Italy comprised of approximately 1200 Americans from Italian ancestry. Vincenza (2008) says that through the ages, residents in this region continually move from Little Italy to places like Texas and California in search of greener pastures. This is because Little Italy is known for being a residential area with poorest Italian American in United States. Economic Segregation Based on immigration history, Italians were of lower economic and social status compared to their European counterparts like Spanish and Irish immigrants.

Italians worked as farmers and laborers while British and Spanish immigrants owned farms and industries. Currently, economic segregation that existed during the immigration period is still conspicuous in Little Italy. Businesses owned by Italian Americans within the town are small and medium in sizes compared to those owned by people from other ethnic background. In terms of social status, Italian Americans in Little Italy live in cheap and affordable homesteads similar to those of Indian and Chinese Americans.

This means that residents of Italian origin living in Little Italy still demonstrate a humble and economical living style. According to Vincenza (2008), there is a general notion that Italians were aware of their low economic power when compared to other European immigrants. In this case, their main intention of immigrating into the US was to work hard, accumulate wealth and return back to Italy. This explains why Italians in Little Italy does not prefer permanent homes and engage in casual occupation as a means of earning a living.

Demographics As acknowledged earlier, Little Italy currently comprise of approximately 1200 Italian Americans. This is contrary to the town’s population in 1910 when it reached a peak of approximately 10000 people from Italian ancestry. The reason for decline in population can be attributed to the fact that residents shift from one American state to another in search of better economic environments. In this case, Italian Americans who previously lived in Little Italy of lower Manhattan have moved to other places, leaving a