ON THE CHANGING STRUCTURE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS IN URBAN CHINA

This study is a replication of a survey on personal networks conducted 7 years earlier in Tianjin, China. Comparing the results of the two s urveys reveals a large amount of change. Tianjin residents now report having more ties to Wends and to associates beyond work and family, an d fewer workplace ties and far fewer family ties. Women have gained on men in the number of friends, and young people have fewer workplace t ies. These changes at the micro-level are examined in the light of cha nges in the Chinese macro-social structure.