Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 11.djvu/206

 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

upon others. This is explained by the work they are called to perform a kind of work where the presence of women would be a hindrance and not an aid. The Italian women belonging to this class, should they come in large numbers, would be unable to find work, and would be obliged to depend upon the men, who, employed as day laborers and paid small wages, would find it difficult to maintain families, which in America requires large means.

The vigor of Italian immigration is further demonstrated by the abundance of individuals between the ages of fifteen and forty-five. The figures are given in the table below :

TABLE VIII

YEARS

NORTHERN ITALIANS

SOUTHERN ITALIANS

TOTAL

Under 14 Years

45 Years and Over

Under 14 Years

45 Years and Over

Under 14 Years

45 Years and Over

IQOI. .

1,830 2,215 3,404 3,633

1,117 1,376 1,419 1,537

14,794 16,954 2I,6l9 20,895

9,593 12,216

9,837 9,443

17,624 19,169 25,023 24,528

10,710 13,692 11,256 10,980

1002..

1903 1904

PERCENTAGE

1901

8.22

5.05

13.64

8.29

12.79

7.71

1902

8.01

4.98

11.08

7.98

10.61

7.52

1903

9.09

3-79

11.02

5.00

10.71

4.00

1904

9.89

4.18

I3-"

5.92

12.51

5.60

Referring to the above tables, it can be seen that the number of boys and old men does not surpass 20 per cent, of the entire immigration, except in the year 1901, and then but slightly. The great majority, then, is composed not only of individuals who can procure directly the means of subsistence, but of young men who are physically capable of working immediately upon landing.

The physical integrity of Italian immigration is also shown by the negligible number refused access to the United States by the immigration authorities at the ports. The small number deported, besides proving the florid health of the Italian immigrants, shows also the infinitely few excluded for political, economical, or moral