Leveraging Relations in Diaspora

What is it about?

"Leveraging Relations in Diaspora" explores how Spanish-speaking Latin Americans in London utilize interpersonal relationships to navigate the labor market. The study focuses on the practice of occupational recommendations, where individuals within the community vouch for one another for employment opportunities, primarily in the informal service sector. It highlights how this practice is embedded in a complex system of favors and expectations, influenced by factors such as time of arrival in London, social capital, and the need to maintain the economic order of the group. The study aims to expand sociopragmatic research by exploring how relational norms and cultural practices are reconfigured within a diasporic context marked by social inequality and precarious economic conditions.

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Why is it important?

Understanding relationality is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of migrant communities. By examining the role of reciprocity, the interconnectedness of relationships, the influence of structural inequalities, and the evolution of norms and expectations, we gain valuable insights into how individuals navigate their social world and strive for economic mobility in challenging circumstances.