Families and Personal Networks An International Comparative Perspective

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a high proportion of the composition of personal networks (35%);
whereas in Switzerland almost 50% of the network is composed of alters
who have known ego for more than three quarters of his/her life (46%).
Although there is a slightly higher proportion of old acquaintances (30%),
Portuguese networks are more diversified as they integrate alters with dif-
ferent lengths of acquaintanceship. Again, these results should be carefully
interpreted in the light of the main types of ties cited. Given the high
integration of non-kin ties, we would expect a high proportion of recent
or very recent acquaintances in Swiss networks. However, the data show
the opposite, meaning that the friends who are included are long- lasting
ties. Also the slightly lower proportion of children and grandchildren con-
tributes to the prevalence of older acquaintances in this country. Instead,
in Lithuania, children and grandchildren (the latter are mentioned by 9%
of the respondents) contribute to a higher salience of more recent ties.
Because they include a more diverse pallet of ties in descending, ascend-
ing, and collateral genealogical lines, personal networks of Portuguese are
more balanced regarding the duration of the relationships.

Gender Homophily: Cross-Gender Versus Same Gender
Preferences

Gender homophily is a mechanism that regulates the development of
personal relationships (Hagestad 1984 ). Therefore, it is important to

18 18 36

27 16

27

31

19

31

24

47

6

PortugalSwitzerland Lithuania

Very old acquantance

Old acquantance

Recent acquantance

Very recent

acquantance

Fig. 3.3 Average proportion of alters with different acquaintanceship length in
personal networks by country (N = 2774)

R. Gouveia et al.