After immigrating to America, German men took jobs that catered to their skills as opposed to engaging in manual labor as other immigrant groups did. "Germans were prominent as bakers, butchers, cabinetmakers, cigar makers, distillers, machinists, and tailors"(1) German women often never entered the work force and instead tended to matters at home or helped with the family business. "Many women worked either in the family-owned business or businesses in the German American community"(2)
As opposed to other immigrant groups, Germans took more time to break the language barrier. Much of this had to do with their tendencies to settle in rural areas. Because the Germans were not exposed to the native language as frequently as others, the time it took them to learn English, especially women, were slower than those immigrant groups who lived in urban areas. Alan Krout in his book The Huddle Masses quotes one resident of Wisconsin saying
As opposed to other immigrant groups, Germans took more time to break the language barrier. Much of this had to do with their tendencies to settle in rural areas. Because the Germans were not exposed to the native language as frequently as others, the time it took them to learn English, especially women, were slower than those immigrant groups who lived in urban areas. Alan Krout in his book The Huddle Masses quotes one resident of Wisconsin saying
“Very few of the Germans in the town understood a word of English. Because men generally had more contact with the outside, English-speaking community , they often mastered English before women in rural America." (3)
- Daniels, Rodger. Coming to America. Pg.150
- Daniels, Rodger. Coming to America. Pg.150
- Kraut, Alan M. The Huddled Masses Pg. 130
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