Social Networks and Socioeconomic Status in Japan

Abstract

This paper aims at showing the relationship between people's socioeconomic status, gender, and their social networks in Japan. Previous studies on this theme have confirmed that people with higher status have more varied networks than those with lower status. However, this paper argues that the-higher-status-the-more-varied-networks thesis is based on the evidences which are limited to the particular aspects of personal relationships, that is, sociability, receiving advice and minor practical help. Apart from these relationships which can be called “networks of sociability”, the present study looks at the personal relationships through which people can attain physical care, that is, “networks of care”.Our survey data including both “networks of sociability” and “networks of care” is analyzed. The result shows that, regarding “networks of sociability”, the thesis of the-higher-status-the-more-varied-networks is supported by our data too. However, as for “networks of care”, a person's social status has a different effect on their network composition between sexes; for men, the higher his status is, the less varied networks he has, while for women, the opposite is true : the higher, the more varied networks. In the final section, on the basis of these findings, it is argued that, not people in other categories, but only men with higher socioeconomic status have personal relationships which fit in the liberal ideology about modern society : the separation of the public and private.