Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks
This paper explores the resources and support that parents in the UK are able to access through their social networks, and analyses how these networks are organized and sustained. Concern over a perceived demise in community relations and trust have driven many recent UK family policy initiatives an...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Sociological Scientific Society of Serbia
2004-01-01
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Series: | Sociologija |
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Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0038-0318/2004/0038-03180403245G.pdf |
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author | Gillies Val |
author_facet | Gillies Val |
author_sort | Gillies Val |
collection | DOAJ |
description | This paper explores the resources and support that parents in the UK are able to access through their social networks, and analyses how these networks are organized and sustained. Concern over a perceived demise in community relations and trust have driven many recent UK family policy initiatives and have underpinned proposals to increase parenting support services. However drawing on data from the project "Resources in Parenting: Access to Capitals" it will be suggested that parents remain tightly connected to a social network from which they derive help, advice and reassurance. Based on data from 35 in-depth interviews with parents from 24 households across a range of social backgrounds, the paper will provide an insight into the levels of practical, financial and emotional help received by mothers and fathers from family members, friends and acquaintances. Particular attention will be given to significance of gender and class in enabling and delimiting access to various kinds of assistance. In contrast to commonly voiced claims about the fracturing of traditional support systems it will be argued that parenting is characterized by resourceful engagement with a variety of personal and social relationships. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:24:52Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-3d9eb55a307b431cb174fa7e07f07234 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 0038-0318 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:24:52Z |
publishDate | 2004-01-01 |
publisher | Sociological Scientific Society of Serbia |
record_format | Article |
series | Sociologija |
spelling | doaj.art-3d9eb55a307b431cb174fa7e07f072342022-12-22T01:27:35ZengSociological Scientific Society of SerbiaSociologija0038-03182004-01-0146324525810.2298/SOC0403245GParenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networksGillies ValThis paper explores the resources and support that parents in the UK are able to access through their social networks, and analyses how these networks are organized and sustained. Concern over a perceived demise in community relations and trust have driven many recent UK family policy initiatives and have underpinned proposals to increase parenting support services. However drawing on data from the project "Resources in Parenting: Access to Capitals" it will be suggested that parents remain tightly connected to a social network from which they derive help, advice and reassurance. Based on data from 35 in-depth interviews with parents from 24 households across a range of social backgrounds, the paper will provide an insight into the levels of practical, financial and emotional help received by mothers and fathers from family members, friends and acquaintances. Particular attention will be given to significance of gender and class in enabling and delimiting access to various kinds of assistance. In contrast to commonly voiced claims about the fracturing of traditional support systems it will be argued that parenting is characterized by resourceful engagement with a variety of personal and social relationships.http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0038-0318/2004/0038-03180403245G.pdfsocial capitalparentingsupportsocial networksresources |
spellingShingle | Gillies Val Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks Sociologija social capital parenting support social networks resources |
title | Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks |
title_full | Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks |
title_fullStr | Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks |
title_full_unstemmed | Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks |
title_short | Parenting and social capital: Accessing help and support from informal social networks |
title_sort | parenting and social capital accessing help and support from informal social networks |
topic | social capital parenting support social networks resources |
url | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0038-0318/2004/0038-03180403245G.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv | AT gilliesval parentingandsocialcapitalaccessinghelpandsupportfrominformalsocialnetworks |