Family demography, social theory, and investment in social capital

The analytic models used by family demographers would be strengthened by th e concept of social capital, placed in the context of social exchange theor y. Using that concept to designate resources that emerge from social ties, the authors advance five propositions: 1) social capital is a multidimensio nal attribute of an individual; 2) the dimensions of social capital are the number of relationships a person has, their quality (strength), and the re sources available through those relationships; 3) group membership and inte raction facilitate the development of social capital; 4) the structural pro perties of groups influence the development of social capital; and 5) the a cquisition and maintenance of social capital is a major motivator of human behavior. The formation of sexual partnerships, the birth and rearing of ch ildren, and both intragenerational and intergenerational transfers constitu te major forms of investment in social capital in virtually all societies.