华人新移民社会资本构建与基督教会——美国P州P市本土教会与华人教会的比较分析

American Christian Church's Impact on the Formation of Chinese Immigrants' Social Capital

论文对美国当地两家基督教会进行长达一年的实地研究,考察了其社会网络的特点及其对华人新移民构建社会资本的影响,同时分析了基督教会对华人新移民思维方式与生活习惯的影响。认为华人教会将发展出紧密的闭合网络,有利于华人新移民发展出科尔曼式的闭合型社会资本,从中获得归属感、情感慰藉以及更加实际且有执行力的帮助。本土教会将形成富于结构洞的稀疏网络,有利于华人新移民发展出波特式的结构洞型社会资本,从中获得异质性信息、多样化的观点以及潜在的创新机会。

Based on one-year-long field study on two Christian churches in the United States,this paper investigates the characteristics of both American and Chinese church＇s social network and their impact on the formation of the new Chinese immigrants＇ social capital. In addition,the paper also analyzes the impact of the social network of Christian Churches on the living and thinking styles of new immigrants. This paper argues that Chinese churches are developing closed and cohesive networks with strong ties,which help the development of the new Chinese immigrants ＇Coleman-style social capital. This enables the new Chinese immigrants to gain a sense of belonging,emotional comfort,and essential support,share diverse opinions and create innovative opportunities. While American church is forming a sparse network rich in weak ties and structural holes,which helps the development of the new Chinese immingrants＇ Burt-style social capital. This enables the new Chinese immigrants to obtain heterogeneous information,diverse perspectives,as well as potential opportunities for innovation.