Marley Jennings

Professor Adams
Views from the Third World
November 3, 2013
Reaction 14: Fragmented Ties
In Chapters 5 and 6, Cecilia Menjivar discusses the dynamics of the social
networks of Salvadoran immigrants in the United States and how they differ for each
gender. Menjivar mentions the important of reciprocity and a negotiated balance of help
between members of a network. She also claims that certain institutions in society are
important for social networks, such as governmental policies and aid organizations, as
well as the local economy. All of these things can either aid or harm social networks, and
in the case of Salvadoran immigrants in the United States, they seem to do more harm
(tough immigration policies). Social networks start to break down, according to Menjivar,
when certain conditions in society leave members unable to reciprocate favors. The
failure to return a favor or repay a debt may lead to the dissolution of a social network
between Salvadoran immigrants. Menjivar also distinguishes differences between how
Salvadoran men and women use social networks in the United States.
Menjivar mentions earlier in her work that social ties and networks may be the
most important reason that Salvadoran immigrants choose the United States as a
destination. But, these networks, whether with friends or family, have a tendency to break
down upon their arrival in the United States due to a failure to repay debts. Along with
this, physical separation and a lack of predictability of a persons residence lead to the
breakdown of social networks. When Salvadoran immigrants dont know where someone

might be in a week, or even a day, it is hard to lend them money because repayment is
unlikely. Another contributing factor is the extreme poverty that Salvadoran immigrants
may face upon arrival to the United States. It is hard to form social networks of giving
when they have so little to give and are already stretching their resources so much. But,
there can still be social networks formed on help that Salvadoran immigrants can give
each other, such as information about jobs or moral support. Many of Menjivars
informants stressed the importance of both of these things in their interviews.
Menjivar explains the differences in the types of social networks that Salvadoran
men and women form. She found that men tended to form relationships that were more
patron-client fashion, whereas women were more likely to form equal relationships
based on cooperation. She also discovered that women derive less economic benefits
from their networks than men do, but are able to form a wider variety of networks and
find work easier. Often, women will become the sole earners of the household, sometimes
causing the men to help even less. Women often share information with other women,
about jobs or housing, anywhere public where they can gather to talk. Sometimes this can
lead to detrimental gossip that can ruin a womans reputation, and cause women to avoid
these social interactions altogether. Men, on the other hand, found it easier to obtain
favors without having to pay for them. Many of Menjivars male informants established
valuable networks through their sports teams that could lead to favors or useful
information. These gender differences have been leading to new and different family
compositions and transformations that Menjivar will discuss later on.

Works Cited
Menjvar, Cecilia. Chapter 5: "The Dynamics of Social Networks" & Chapter 6:
Gendered Networks. Fragmented Ties: Salvadoran Immigrant Networks in
America. Berkeley: University of California, 2000. 23-76. Print.