Fictive Kinship and Acquaintance Networks as Sources of Support and Social Capital for Mexican Transmigrants in South Bend

Grounded in extensive literature review and primary ethnographic research in the Mexican immigrant community. Explores the role of social networks as essential sources of support and generators of social capital for Latino immigrants as they adjust to life in the United States. Whereas in U.S. 'American' culture, kinship is defined as biogenetic, Latino culture is characteristically more flexible with its interpretation. 'Family' includes extended relatives and even close friends who are incorporated into the tightly knit kin network via fictive kinship relationships.