| Chapter 1: | Introduction |
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Thus, the findings on the supportive character of networks have provided a complicated, and at times murky, picture. The need for greater clarity of theoretical purpose and standardization of methodological effort remains an ongoing concern.
Our concern is to understand the kinds of networks available to individuals and what consequences these networks have for the well-being and the personal identity of the individuals who have provided us with a rich lode of information about their lives. We examine networks through the way they impact patterns of reciprocity, the available social capital both within and beyond each network, their linkage to basic values, and their relationship to key dimensions of health.
Demographic Considerations
The relevance of this study is best illustrated by reference to recent demographic changes. Even the most casual observer of this and other industrial societies is aware of the momentous population shifts that have been unfolding over the past century. Most remarkable has been the explosive growth of the older population; it is growing at an unprecedented rate, a trend that will continue well into the 21st century. These trends involve adjustments not only for those entering old age, but also for society as a whole (Bengtson, Kim, Myers, & Eun, 2000).
While this growth in the number and percentage of older people is most salient in the more industrialized world, all societies are being transformed as a consequence of similar demographic factors. Those given to future projections are wont to point to a number of gloomy outcomes, especially the inevitable growth of those who are frail and impaired and who require a demanding schedule of daily care. At the same time, changes in the structure of the family make it increasingly problematic that anyone will be available who can fulfill the time-consuming task of caregiver, which the family, especially the female family members, has provided historically in all cultures. How these concerns will play out can vary significantly from one culture to another.