What Makes Social Networks Move? An Analysis of Norms and Ties*

Relationships Stretched Thin: Social Support Mobilization in Poverty

“…Third, exchanges in informal networks are regulated by norms of obligation, reciprocity, autonomy, and equity (Portugal 2009; Jacobson 1987) that favor the emergence of long-term cooperation by promoting moral values of loyalty and fairness. The precise norms vary with the type of ties, creating tie-specific scripts of expectations, obligations, and types of transactions that are considered appropriate (e.g., Zelizer 2005).…”

“…In particular, durable kinship ties are universally associated with an internalized sense of obligation to help one another (Curry, Mullins, and Whitehouse 2019) and with generalized (i.e., multilateral) and deferred reciprocity :Mediated between affections and trust, reciprocity between family members often takes place on a “lifetime scale” and transforms help into a sort of “long-term credit” which does not need to be repaid immediately, nor to be symmetrical: the counter-gift can come much later or even be destined for another person. (Portugal 2009, 61)…”

“…Mediated between affections and trust, reciprocity between family members often takes place on a “lifetime scale” and transforms help into a sort of “long-term credit” which does not need to be repaid immediately, nor to be symmetrical: the counter-gift can come much later or even be destined for another person. (Portugal 2009, 61)…”

“…In other words, it is less expected that people lend money or give material help to their friends, acquaintances, neighbors, or colleagues in need; but if they do, they expect the favor to be returned to them within a relatively short period of time. Yet among kin, balanced reciprocity also reigns alongside generalized reciprocity (Portugal 2009): about half of the economically distressed individuals who receive support from their families also provide it to them (Hogan, Eggebeen, and Clogg 1993). Even gifts obey this norm of give-and-take, as they usually incur an obligation of a reciprocal gift in reasonable time (Mauss 1923/1990; Sahlins 1972).…”

“…Furthermore, support mobilization is potentially limited by the norm of autonomy , which implies that households are supposed to function as independent units. We focus on the norm of equity 2 only insofar that special conditions are considered that may form exemptions from these norms, for instance, for lack of money or time (Jacobson 1987; Portugal 2009).…”