Aufgabe 3.1 · Abitur NRW Englisch LK · Xie: Holding Pattern 2026

3.1 Taking Kathleen's and her mother's situation as a starting point, assess to what extent socio-economic status plays a role in the integration of immigrants into U.S. society. (40 %)

Lösung: Key aspects for assessment: Reference to Kathleen's and mother's situation: - narrator's childhood and adolescence characterized by shortage of money, especially after parents' divorce, making it difficult to afford amenities others enjoyed - mother improves her socio-economic status by marrying a rich businessman and reinvents herself, but her English skills are still limited Arguments that socio-economic status plays an essential role: - allows immigrants to settle in areas with better housing, schools, and infrastructure, making it easier to integrate - reduces dependence on support; increased self-reliance encourages social and political participation - provides more opportunities to gain insight into new culture and learn how to navigate it, reducing risks of stereotyping and marginalization - increases second-generation immigrants' chances of acquiring quality education and further improving their socio-economic status BUT other factors play an equally important role: - individual openness to new culture, level of acceptance of values and norms of American society, language acquisition - personal determination and aspirations; ability and willingness to integrate impacted by age, gender, country of origin, religion - extent of openness of American society to immigrants, level of support from local communities, employers, organizations, and (government) institutions