The Significance of Social Bonds for Asian Americans

• In Event: 1284 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 23. Migrant Generations

Abstract

Social bond theory suggests that strong bonds to school influence better outcomes on measures of educational progress and success. However, we know little about the relationship between social bonding to school and educational attainment for the children of Asian American immigrants or how this relationship varies across immigrant generations and by gender. We examine how five types of social bonding (attachment, commitment, belief, and academic and sports involvement) influence the educational attainment of female and male children of Asian American immigrants. Drawing from national survey data, results suggest that strong social bonds to school have the potential to explain immigrant generation and gender distinctions associated with educational attainment for the children of Asian American immigrants; however, the possibility to form such bonds, as well as the strength of their positive effects, vary by gender, race, ethnicity, and immigrant generation. The implications of the relationships between social bonds and educational attainment across immigrant generations and by gender for Asian Americans are discussed more generally.

Authors

• Joong Won "James" Kim, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Anthony A. Peguero, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Jennifer M. Bondy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University