“With a Little Help from My …”

In this chapter the structural elements of network socializing are deconstructed. To be properly understood, these elements must be analyzed within marital statuses. Friend socializing, relative socializing, and neighbor socializing all are positively associated with happiness among married and unmarried Americans. To be properly understood, trends in these network elements must be analyzed within age groups. Friend socializing in America has been on the rise. Relative socializing dipped after the 1970s, but has surged since. Neighbor socializing has dropped significantly across all age groups.