Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2010, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (4): 163-178.

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

An Exploration of Migrant Workers’ Feelings of Social Expulsion: A Social Network Perspective

*Author:Chen Li,Science and Information Technology Bureau of Guangzhou.   

  1. *Author:Chen Li,Science and Information Technology Bureau of Guangzhou.
  • Online:2010-07-20 Published:2010-07-20
  • Contact: *Author:Chen Li,Science and Information Technology Bureau of Guangzhou. E-mail:chenligood.ok@163.com
  • About author:*Author:Chen Li,Science and Information Technology Bureau of Guangzhou.
  • Supported by:

    The data from the major issue “Immigrant and Rights:The Survey of Immigrant Workers in Pearl River Delta”

    (13000-3211602).

Abstract:

This study found more intense economic expulsion than psychological expulsion felt by the

migrant workers in Pearl River Delta. From the social network perspective, the migrant workers’

social networks should help lower their feelings of being socially excluded. However, the networks

’ selfexclusiveness and sex homogeneity had the opposite effects. Those migrant workers with

larger social networks that were high in heterogeneity and powerful in providing resources were less

likely to feel economic expulsion. Those who perceived themselves occupying important positions in

their networks and had all their best friends working in the same organizations were less likely to

feel psychological expulsion than the firsttime workers who came in groups for employment and

ended up in networks with high sex homogeneity. It seems that migrant workers expanding their

social interaction and increasing heterogeneity of their social networks will help reduce their

feelings of being excluded. 

Key words: migrant workers  ,  feelings of social expulsion ,  social networks