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Favor Exchange among Neighbors in Multiethnic Communities

Sun, August 23, 12:30 to 2:10pm, TBA

Abstract

A key topic in urban studies is neighborhood social relations. The topic has significant implications for the larger debate about friendship patterns in contemporary North American society. Ties among neighbors provide social support, foster social relations, and facilitate social capital. Our study explores how the exchange of favors among neighbors, a key component in developing and maintaining social relations among neighbors, is related to co-ethnic proportion, length of time in the neighborhood, and family life cycle. Our discussion differentiates between relations within groups and overall relations in the neighborhood. We merged the 2008 Canadian General Social Survey with 2006 Canadian census tract data to explore these issues. The findings present an optimistic view of or diversified society. Most members of the groups included in the analysis experience favor exchange with neighbors. Though co-ethnic proportion and duration in the neighborhood does not relate to favor exchange in neighborhoods for minorities and immigrants, these factors are significant for local-born population. In addition, as minorities and immigrants marry, their family needs may encourage them to develop social relations with neighbors.

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