Jobs and family relations: Use of computers and mobile phones among Hispanic day laborers in Seattle

Baron, Luis Fernando; Neils, Moriah; Gomez, Ricardo

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/36050 Copy

Description

Title

Jobs and family relations: Use of computers and mobile phones among Hispanic day laborers in Seattle

Author(s)

• Baron, Luis Fernando
• Neils, Moriah
• Gomez, Ricardo

Issue Date

2013-02

Keyword(s)

• Day laborers
• Immigrants
• Information literacy
• Information behavior
• Information Resources
• Cell phones
• Hispanics in the United States

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research project on the use of computers and mobile phones by Hispanic day laborers at Casa Latina, a non-profit organization in Seattle, Washington. Drawing from over 100 interviews, participatory observations and a focus group, we found that information and communication technologies (ICT) help immigrant day laborers to remain connected with their families and their employers. Mobile phones complement but do not replace the use of computers: mobile phones are used primarily to obtain jobs, while computers and the Internet are used mostly to communicate with family and friends. The results of this study offer new insight regarding the way day laborers use ICT to facilitate their navigation and integration into society as immigrants with precarious existences in the US. This study can also inform programs to help provide better support services and training that can effectively meet the needs of these extremely underserved populations.

Publisher

iSchools

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/36050

DOI

https://doi.org/10.9776/13145

Copyright and License Information

Copyright © 2013 is held by the authors. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the authors.

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