Far and Near: Kinship Networks of Mixed Couples in Québec
This article presents the results of research carried out in Quebec (in Montreal and in outlying regions) on 80 ethnically mixed couples with at least one young child. We make a close examination of the relationships of these couples with the families of the partners and the roles of the latter in the socialization of children. We show that there are very dense contacts between the couple and family members whether or not these relatives are living in Quebec, in the country of origin of one of the partners or elsewhere in the world. We also demonstrate that the family of the minority partner participates closely with the parents in bringing to fruition the identity projects of the parents for their children. These projects are based on the transmission of cultural referents associated with the multiple origins of the child. We also bring out the importance of the country of origin of the parent or grandparents in the socialization strategies of the mixed couples.