Gender Differences in Social Networks Based on Prevailing Kinship Norms in the Mosuo of China

Siobhán M. Mattison, Neil G. MacLaren, Ruizhe Liu, Adam Z. Reynolds, Gabrielle D. Baca, Peter M. Mattison, Meng Zhang, Chun-Yi Sum, Mary K. Shenk, Tami Blumenfield, Christopher von Rueden and Katherine Wander
Additional contact information
Siobhán M. Mattison: Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Neil G. MacLaren: Bernard M. and Ruth R. Bass Center for Leadership Studies, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
Ruizhe Liu: Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Adam Z. Reynolds: Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Gabrielle D. Baca: Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Peter M. Mattison: Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Meng Zhang: Department of Cultural Heritage and Museology and Institute of Archaeological Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
Chun-Yi Sum: College of General Studies, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Mary K. Shenk: Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16801, USA
Tami Blumenfield: Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
Christopher von Rueden: Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USA
Katherine Wander: Department of Anthropology, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA

Social Sciences, 2021, vol. 10, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Although cooperative social networks are considered key to human evolution, emphasis has usually been placed on the functions of men’s cooperative networks. What do women’s networks look like? Do they differ from men’s networks and what does this suggest about evolutionarily inherited gender differences in reproductive and social strategies? In this paper, we test the ‘universal gender differences’ hypothesis positing gender-specific network structures against the ‘gender reversal’ hypothesis that posits that women’s networks look more ‘masculine’ under matriliny. Specifically, we ask whether men’s friendship networks are always larger than women’s networks and we investigate measures of centrality by gender and descent system. To do so, we use tools from social network analysis and data on men’s and women’s friendship ties in matrilineal and patrilineal Mosuo communities. In tentative support of the gender reversal hypothesis, we find that women’s friendship networks in matriliny are relatively large. Measures of centrality and generalized linear models otherwise reveal greater differences between communities than between men and women. The data and analyses we present are primarily descriptive given limitations of sample size and sampling strategy. Nonetheless, our results provide support for the flexible application of social relationships across genders and clearly challenge the predominant narrative of universal gender differences across space and time.

Keywords: social relationships; matriliny; patriliny; cooperation; evolution; behavioral ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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