Gender differences in social networks under subsistence changes

Abstract

Sexual selection theory suggests that gendered social strategies are universal outcomes of reproductive competition, yet recent cross-cultural studies show that these strategies are shaped by socio-ecological factors although they remain insufficiently examined. In particular, little is known about how gendered strategies adapt during periods of rapid social and economic changes. To this end, we examine gender differences in scale and composition of ego-networks, guided by two main hypotheses: that gender roles are shaped by (i) market participation, and (ii) post-marital residence pattern. Using data from 1169 married women and men across 14 Tibetan villages undergoing economic and kinship-system transitions, we applied Bayesian multilevel models to analyse core social relationships. Our findings show that, as men increase their participation in market economies, their networks become more kin-centred – strengthening biological kin ties while loosening friend ties – reflecting an instrumental restructuring of social relationships in response to changing economic roles. In contrast, women's networks remain largely unaffected, likely reflecting the persistence of caregiving responsibilities and strong local embeddedness. Post-marital residence patterns impose comparable trade-offs for both sexes: philopatric individuals prioritise biological kin, while affinal kin can effectively substitute for natal relatives when biological kin become less accessible, forming a balanced, bilateral cooperative network that integrates both kin types. This study underscores that women sustain stable and cohesive social ties across socio-economic transitions, while men adapt their networks more flexibly in response to shifting economic roles.