The Place of Kinfolk in Personal Community Networks

Now that we know that kinship persists in the First World, what is the of kinfolk in personal community networks? Kin are quite prominent in such networks, especially in networks of strongly active or intimate ties. Immediate kin—parents, adult children and siblings—are much more likely than other, extended kin to be network members and to have strong ties. Immediate kin are in a good deal of contact, even when they live far apart. Their densely-knit clusters of ties maintain relationships and foster the coordinated provision of support. Parents and adult children are especially supportive, usually giving each other emotional aid, financial aid, and domestic goods and services. They rarely are each other's sociable companions. Siblings are somewhat less supportive, and are more similar to friends in their moderate levels of support and high levels of companionship. Extended kin are less prominent in networks. Even when present, they rarely provide support or companionship. In short, immediate kin occupy prominent and unique places in personal community networks. Their stable, coordinated aid crucially helps people to deal with everyday problems, acute stresses and chronic strains in domestic situations.