Suchergebnisse

The importance of social networks in the determination of life opportunities is discussed in a case study, drawing on interview & structured diary data from Lida, a middle-aged female teacher from St. Petersburg, Russia. The most important components of Lida's social network are her mother & children, but neither her extended family nor absent husband plays a significant role in her social life. Lida is strongly committed to school, with the vast majority of her social relations occupied by teachers & school-related individuals. This commitment has led to a blurring of the boundaries between her work & family life. Although she is devoted to her work, she feels that teaching was forced on her during her education. Further, she cannot explore other possibilities since her social network is teacher-dominated. It is concluded that the closed nature of her social network & her upbringing in socialist culture have contributed to a general feeling of lack of control over her own life. 3 Figures. T. Sevier