Ethnic identity, bounded solidarity and the formation of immigrant networks of care

Abstract

Asian immigrants, particularly those from China, India, and Taiwan, have formed both residential and occupational concentrations in Silicon Valley, California. I show how the extent and shape of Asian immigration contributes to constructing particular forms of immigrant networks that have the potential to facilitate informal care arrangements. I document differences in household structures and labor force participation among white and Asian families using both 1990 and 2000 census data. These data show that Asian families are more likely to have both parents working fulltime in the labor force and underline the importance for this group of finding alternative (non parent) child care. The fact that both parents are often in the workforce fulltime also suggests that immigrant children might frequently be left in a deficit of care. This paper then draws upon interviews and participant observation to investigate network construction, identities, and norms among Asian immigrants in the Silicon Valley and their consequences of access to child care.