Why Do We Fear Immigrants

Fear and Immigration? In the article: “Our Fear of Immigrants,” Jeremy Adam Smith writes about why it is we fear immigrants. Biologically and psychologically through numerous examples, comparisons, and studies. As unorthodox as it sounds, our hesitance towards outsiders can be clarified in various ways we never believed imaginable; in Jeremy’s investigation, he unveils the bewildering reality about the contrasts between ourselves and children using a distressful story of a man who was deported. Smith pondered the question: why are children not afraid of outsiders and in what way can understanding our biological structure to solve this question? Smith found that there are many reasons why this could be the case. Smith refers to an essential point made by a Princeton psychologist, Susan Fiske, who specializes in the nature of prejudice, states in

This social behavior can be found deep within human molecular biology; in fact, innately most people are hesitant towards newcomers because of diseases and unwanted pathogens that pose a threat against their own group, Fiske remarks. Some scientists say this could be an evolutionary advantage; in addition, Fiske argues: “Our fear against immigrants could be the most intractable prejudices because it is so firmly connected to our survival and natural selection.” By definition, Xenophobia is the fear of strangers, and is quite mutual amongst most cultures. How can one fight Xenophobia, and is there any way to remove this sociological paranoia? The good news is, Xenophobia can tamed; the bad news is Xenophobia can never eradicated completely. Smith claims that prejudices come over time, rather than something that humans come pre-defined with. Smith also theorized that children only develop Xenophobia through their parents; this is what scientists call a contract hypothesis, meaning: “A simple idea that contract between groups facilitates tolerance and cooperation” ~