The traditional food remains the staple, and cultural traditions remain intact. Within the community, very little has changed from the way of life in the home country. Although there are many ties to the homeland of their parents, immigrant children often find themselves being pulled away from the communities in which they were raised. These children find themselves living and two different worlds. The long-term effect of this alienation is that as these children grow older they have trouble developing their own sense of identity because they have no real sense of belonging.
Alienation is one of the most influential forces that cause individuals to leave the community.
Not all individuals leave the community due to a sense of alienation. Sometimes individuals decide to leave the immigrant community in the attempt to receive higher education or prove their abilities in a larger context. Before leaving the supportive relationships within the immigrant community it is important that a person has developed trusting and close relationship beyond the bonds of the community and on different terms. The movement away from the traditional sources of support and basis of social relationship can create feelings of loneliness. While this is common of any person leaving the community familiar to them, the impact on the individual from an immigrant community can be more profound.