"The Social Functions and Dysfunctions of Brazilian Immigrant Congregations in "terra incognita

Bibliographic Data

ID4233579
AuthorsRodrigo Serrao (0000-0002-2856-8963, University of South Florida, corresponding author), James C Cavendish (University of South Florida), James Cavendish (University of South Florida)
Year2018
Volume60
Issue3
Pages367-388
Publication date2018-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Religious Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2211-4866 • E-ISSN: 0034-673X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s13644-018-0333-x
OpenAlexW2793809198
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited43

Ethnic congregations are often considered safe havens for immigrants. This is supported by a large body of literature showing that many religious congregations in diasporic contexts help immigrants maintain their ethnic group identity and cohesion, build social capital, and adapt more smoothly to life in an unfamiliar society. The role of ethnic congregations in the lives of immigrants is, however, complex and multifaceted, and some recent research suggests that, in some ways, these congregations may inhibit their adaptation to the larger society and arouse tensions among the very immigrant communities they intend to help. In light of these varying observations, we seek to explore the functions-and potential dysfunctions-that ethnic congregations have among Brazilians who have immigrated to central Texas. Using data drawn in 2013 from participant observation and 16 in-depth interviews conducted in two Brazilian evangelical congregations, we find that respondents perceive that their congregations strengthen their feelings of attachment to Brazilian culture and language and foster the development of social capital within to the Brazilian immigrant community. At the same time, however, some respondents acknowledge that church members can become overly dependent on their congregations and isolated from the larger society, leaving them susceptible to potential exploitation at the hands of more established co-ethnics within the congregation

Acculturation · Community cohesion · Ethnic group · Feeling · Identity (music) · Immigration · Participant observation · Political science · Social capital · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · Law · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Psychology · Religion, Society, and Development · Social Psychology