Strong and weak tie homophily in adolescent friendship networks: An analysis of same-race and same-gender ties. (14th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McMillan, Cassie
• Is Part Of: Network science. Volume 10:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 283
• Page End: 300
• Publication Date: 2022-09-14
• Subjects: adolescent friendship -- homophily -- valued ERGMs -- tie strength -- race -- gender; Social networks -- Research -- Periodicals; System analysis -- Periodicals; System theory -- Periodicals; Computer science -- Periodicals; 003.72
• DOI: 10.1017/nws.2022.24
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-1242

Abstract

Abstract: While we know that adolescents tend to befriend peers who share their race and gender, it is unclear whether patterns of homophily vary according to the strength, intimacy, or connectedness of these relationships. By applying valued exponential random graph models to a sample of 153 adolescent friendship networks, I test whether tendencies towards same-race and same-gender friendships differ for strong versus weak relational ties. In nondiverse, primarily white networks, weak ties are more likely to connect same-race peers, while racial homophily is not associated with the formation of stronger friendships. As racial diversity increases, however, strong ties become more likely to connect same-race peers, while weaker bonds are less apt to be defined by racial homophily. Gender homophily defines the patterns of all friendship ties, but these tendencies are more pronounced for weaker connections. My results highlight the empirical value of considering tie strength when examining social processes in adolescent networks.