Theories of social exchange have generally ignored the effect of neighborhood contexts on the ways in which help is informally given and received among individuals. This paper examines the relative influence of racial composition and socio-economic disadvantage of neighborhoods on reciprocity within non-kin networks. Using data from the National (US) Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), the findings refute hypotheses that predict neighborhood racial composition has an effect on practical helping among unrelated individuals. Neighborhood deprivation is found to exacerbate the exclusion of poorer individuals from informal helping; it also makes it harder for residents to reciprocate when they do participate in helping activities. The face-to-face nature of practical helping adds a layer of vulnerability to neighborhood conditions for enacting support. KEY WORDS: exchange theory • instrumental support • neighborhood effects • neighborhood disadvantage • non-kin networks • racial diversity • reciprocity Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
The gendered nature of organizations limits women’s opportunities for advancement. While women have made inroads into many male-dominated jobs, studies suggest they can be marginalized within masculine workplace cultures. In this paper, we examine the experiences of eleven women who have had successful careers in the male-dominated information technology field, to explore their perceptions of the barriers and opportunities women face. We find that our respondents have a tendency to downplay the significance of gender, even as they provide evidence that gender has shaped their careers. We argue that their reluctance to see how gender conditions women’s careers, combined with the technical nature of their field, may have facilitated their success, even though these factors serve as barriers for other women, and prevent meaningful change.
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