Social Ties at the Neighborhood Level

Abstract

Using the General Social Survey, the authors analyze trends in socializing with neighbors and with friends outside the neighborhood from 1974 to 1996. Consistent with arguments about a declining attachment to neighborhood, results show a linear trend toward less socializing within the neighborhood and more outside it. In addition, the data suggest that people are increasingly specializing in either neighborhood or extra neighborhood social ties. However, the evidence for less neighborhood socializing is slight. Also, inconsistent with some claims about neighborhoods, only mild evidence suggests that socializing at the neighborhood level is becoming more selective of certain social groups.

Continuation of exchange with neighbors in later life: The importance of the neighborhood context

“…However, this does not automatically imply that neighborhoods have lost all relevance as a context for the exchange of support. Some people do not specialize in ties outside the neighborhood, but instead have locally oriented networks (Guest & Wierzbicki, 1999). These differences in focus on neighborhood and extraneighborhood ties are usually attributed to differences in individual resources for maintaining relationships outside the neighborhood.…”

“…Most tasks involved in instrumental support require face-to-face contact, which is accomplished more readily by neighbors (Litwak & Szelenyi, 1969). One might even argue that the potential for mutual help is an important basis of relationships between neighbors (Guest & Wierzbicki, 1999). Compared to relationships with family and friends, there is generally a lower level of affection or obligation in relationships with neighbors.…”

Defining the Social Economy and its Governance at the Neighbourhood Level: A Methodological Reflection

“…7. Guest and Wierzbicki (1999) wonder 'What connects people to one another in the same street?' (cited by Forrest and Kearns, 2001).…”

Ar nedarbas riboja? Bendruomeniškumas, socialiniai paramos tinklai ir dalyvavimas viešajame gyvenime

“…Silpniems neklasterizuotiems socialiniams tinklams suteikiama kur kas didesnė reikšmė. Tuo tarpu stiprūs kaimynystės ryšiai pasidaro mažiau vertinami (Guest, Wierzbicki 1999). Socialinių tinklų analizė vis dėlto atskleidė ir priešingą tendenciją, t. y., jog kaimynystės pagrindu susiformavę socialiniai tinklai suteikia specifinę pagalbą, pavyzdžiui, įgalina keistis mažomis ar didesnėmis paslaugomis, tokiomis kaip vaikų priežiūra, skubioji pagalba, buities ir remonto darbai (Wellman, Wortley 1990).…”

“…Nepaisant privalumų, kuriuos teikia bendruomenėje susiformavę socialiniai ryšiai, ryškėja ir kita tendencija, rodanti mažėjančią šiuolaikinių bendruomenių svarbą. Pavyzdžiui, A. M. Guesto ir S. K. Wierzbicki 1974-1996 metais JAV atlikto General Social Survey longitudinio tyrimo rezultatai atskleidžia ryškias kaimynystės socialinių ryšių svarbos mažėjimo tendencijas (Guest, Wierzbicki 1999). Vėlesni tyrimai pateikia panašius rezultatus, pavyzdžiui, Gustavo S. Meschas ir Yael Levanon formuluoja išvadas teigdami, kad bendruomeniniai ryšiai didina socialinį dalyvavimą ir įsitraukimą ne vietos bendruomenių viduje, bet už jų ribų (Mesch, Levanon 2003).…”