Social integration in Singapore : A study of personal community networks and inter-ethnic ties

Information on the personal social support networks of 75 Singaporean adults aged between 22 and 56 was used to investigate the pattern of social integration in Singapore with special attention paid to inter-ethnic relations. I found relatively few inter-ethnic ties in the core (intimate) region of personal networks (11.36% of the total). Family and kin predominate. Once family and kin ties were removed, the proportion of intimate inter-ethnic ties rose from 11.36% to 20.80%, suggesting that family commitments crowd out the social space for inter-ethnic friendships in Singapore. Respondents were able to name additional inter-ethnic ties when probed. These ties were however less intimate on average than the intra-ethnic non-family ties generated without probing. Approximately 70% of all inter-ethnic ties had antecedents in the workplace, indicating that the work domain is particularly important in fostering inter-ethnic contact.

Author dc:creator

• CHUA KYNN HONG, VINCENT

• Social integration, Personal networks, Social support, Inter-ethnic ties, Social domains, Name generators