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KINSHIP, RECIPROCITY AND VULNERABILITY: SOCIAL RELATIONS IN THE INFORMAL ECONOMY
Author(s) -
Short Patricia
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
australian journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1839-4655
pISSN - 0157-6321
DOI - 10.1002/j.1839-4655.1996.tb01045.x
Subject(s) - kinship , reciprocity (cultural anthropology) , vulnerability (computing) , sociology , project commissioning , goods and services , social exchange theory , survey data collection , economics , economic growth , publishing , economy , political science , social science , statistics , computer security , mathematics , anthropology , computer science , law
This paper examines the notion that informal interhousehold transfers of goods and services in the communal economy are based upon reciprocity. Patterns of interhousehold transfer of goods and services are described, and the significance of kinship (or familial obligations) in shaping patterns of informal exchange are discussed. Data from a 1990 survey of household and residential organisation in Brisbane are used. Differences in income, labour force participation and the density and character of householders' social networks are considered as factors shaping contemporary interhousehold economic activity. Implications for our understanding of people's economic vulnerability are drawn from the observations.