%0 Journal Article
%T Facebook and WhatsApp as Elements in Transnational Care Chains for the Trinidadian Diaspora
%A Dwaine Plaza
%A Lauren Plaza
%J -
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy3020015
%X Abstract Despite being separated by great geographical distances, the Trinidadian Diaspora community has managed to stay in regular communication with those back ¡°home¡± using the latest available technologies. Trinidadian migrants living abroad have established multi-directional care chains with family, kin, and friends that have endured for decades. This social connection has evolved from letter writing, telegrams, telephones, emails, and most recently, internet-based social media which includes: Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, Snapchat, Twitter, and Google Hangout. This paper examines how social media, focusing on Facebook and WhatsApp, are tools being used by the Trinidadian Diaspora to provide transnational care-giving to family and friends kin left behind in the ¡°home¡± country and beyond. The analysis is based on the results of two online Qualtrics surveys, one implemented in 2012 (n = 150) and another in 2015 (n = 100) of Trinidadian Diaspora participants and in-depth interviews with (n = 10) Canadian-Trinidadians. This paper explores how social media have become a virtual transnational bridge that connects the Trinidadian Diaspora across long distances and provides family members with a feeling of psychological well-being. View Full-Tex
%K transnational
%K care chains
%K diaspora
%K Trinidad
%K family
%K immigrants
%K social media
%K Facebook
%K WhatsApp
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/3/2/15