IRANIAN-AMERICANS IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: A SURVEY OF SOCIOECONOMIC, ATTITUDINAL, AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS ____________________________________ A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State University, Fullerton ____________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Sociology ____________________________________ By Daniel Dariush Tanara Thesis Committee Approval: Professor Berna Torr, Chair Professor Eileen Walsh, Department of Sociology Professor Anthony Alvarez, Department of Sociology Fall, 2017 ABSTRACT The latest data from US Census (2013) estimate the Iranian immigrant population at 470,000 in the US and 215,000 (46%) in California. Los Angeles County has the highest concentration of Iranian immigrants population. Orange County, adjacent to L.A. County, is the second largest concentration of Iranian immigrants with estimated population of 36,000. Unfortunately not much is known about this small group of immigrants beyond the basic demographics provided by the census data. Census data suggest that Iranian immigration continue to grow. The preferred destination for most is Orange County, specifically south Orange County that is the most affluent section of the County. In order to better understand the characteristics of this growing immigrant population, I conducted a pilot study of the socioeconomic and attitudinal characteristics of the Iranian immigrant population in city of Mission Viejo in Orange County. The scope of the study was limited mainly due to budget constraints, however, the purpose of the study is not just to collect data, but provide guidelines for more comprehensive, larger study/ies. The data were collected via an online survey in both English and Persian, that included questions outside the scope of the Census, including religions and religiosity, political affiliation, civic engagement, health, and sexual orientation, as well as basic demographics (e.g., age, gender, marital status, etc.) of 1st, 1.5, and 2nd generations of the Iranian immigrants. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... ii LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 2. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF IRANIAN IMMIGRATION TO THE U.S. .... 5 Pre-1950 Immigration ........................................................................................... 5 1950 – 1977 Immigration .................................................................................... 6 Post 1977 Immigration.......................................................................................... 6 Anti U.S. Sentiment and Hostage Crisis .............................................................. 8 The Unwelcomed Immigrants .............................................................................. 9 Current social and political environment .............................................................. 10 3. DATA AND METHODS ..................................................................................... 13 4. DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSES AND DISCUSSION ............................................. 18 Demographics ....................................................................................................... 18 Educational Attainment ........................................................................................ 18 Religions and Religiosity ...................................................................................... 19 Civic/Political and Engagement and Affiliation ................................................... 20 Self-Rated Health and Health-Related Behaviors ................................................ 23 Language Proficiency ........................................................................................... 23 Political Views ...................................................................................................... 25 Sexuality and Sexuality-Related Behaviors .......................................................... 26 Employment and Income ...................................................................................... 29 Social Life ............................................................................................................. 31 5. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 34 iii APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 38 A. SURVEY INSTRUMENT ............................................................................. 38 B. SOLICITATION LETTER ............................................................................ 67 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 68 iv LIST OF TABLES Tables Page 4.1 Demographics ................................................................................................... 19 4.2 Educational Level ............................................................................................. 19 4.3 Religions and Religiosity .................................................................................. 21 4.4 Political/civic Participation. .............................................................................. 22 4.5 Self-Rated Health .............................................................................................. 24 4.6 Language Proficiency ...................................................................................... 25 4.7 Political Views .................................................................................................. 26 4.8 Sexuality and Sexuality-Related Views ............................................................ 27 4.9 Employments and Income ................................................................................. 30 4.10a Social Interactions ............................................................................................. 31 4.10b Social communications and Technology .......................................................... 32 4.10c Selected Social Views and Activities ............................................................... 33 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1 Iranian Immigration to the US ............................................................................. 7 2. Iranian Immigrant Population in the US ............................................................. 8 3. Educational Attainment, US ................................................................................ 11 4. Educational Attainment, California ..................................................................... 12 5. English Proficiency .............................................................................................. 12 vi ACKNOWLEDGMENT It is customary that an author acknowledges the people who have made the research possible by providing their professional guidance, valuable assistance, participation, etc. I would try to do the same here, though not in a traditional manner. There is no alphabetical, hierarchal, and/or chronological order to the people/places/objects mentioned here. I was born into a socioeconomically “privileged” family, so naturally, my first and foremost gratitude is for whomever made it possible. My utmost recognition, however, goes to my 1st grade teacher, Mr. Rafati, who in 1964 in a small city in southern part of Iran (Masjed Solaiman), not only taught me how to read and write, but also cultured me how to be a life-long “student.” Also, my 9th grade literature teacher, Mr. Ghaffari, who introduced me to Chekhov, Rumi, J. Steinbeck, Nabokov, Marx, M.L. King, Weber, Mao, M. Twain, Hafiz, F. Douglas, and so many other giants in literature, philosophy, history, etc.; and also showed me how to have a “universal” view of the world. For this project, however, my deepest gratitude is to my cohort who accepted, respected, and guided me with kindness, tolerance, and lucidity. I am also truly indebted to every faculty and staff at California State University in Fullerton’s Sociology department, who shared with me their knowledge, wisdom, and guidance. My special thanks to Dr. Fontevila, late Dr. Emery, Dr. Alvarez, Dr. Literte, Ms. Fletcher, and Dr. vii Rakovski. However, I cannot thank enough the Department’s chair, Dr. Eileen Walsh, my committee chair Dr. Berna Torr, and my advisor Dr. Dana Collins who have taken me under their angelic wings from the first day and taught me everything; and still shadowing me so graciously. I would also like to recognize and wholeheartedly thank my son, Neima, my daughter, Lily, and my dog, Her Majesty Princess Foxy; for their utmost support, honesty, understanding, and unconditional love. Lastly, I’d like to thank my 39-year friend, companion, partner, and wife, Sheila (Sholeh), whom I owe my entire life to, physically and spiritually. Her love, kindheartedness, and rectitude are beyond words and human comprehension. I am truly fortunate to have her in my life, and thank