臺灣個人核心網絡的變化：比較1997年與2017年的差異

Changes in Core Network Size in Taiwan: A Comparison between 1997 and 2017 Surveys

通訊技術的革命及社會結構的轉變如何影響個人核心網絡的規模，是近來西方社會學者激烈爭辯的問題。本文以相隔二十年的臺灣社會變遷基本調查資料進行實證分析，發現臺灣人的核心網絡規模有明顯下降的趨勢。兩種不同網絡規模的測量，包含工具性網絡及情感性網絡，都得到規模縮減的一致結果。本文首先排除規模縮減是調查方法上的偏誤所產生的人為結果，接著討論人口老化、結婚率及生育率下降、離婚率增高、高教擴張、婦女勞參率增加及溝通科技等社會人口結構因素對於核心網絡規模縮減的可能影響。核心網絡規模縮減，除了反映臺灣社會結構的變化，也可能隱含臺灣人在倫常規範、人情關係、社會交換及家庭角色等人際互動模式上的改變，有待後續學者進一步的分析。

Sociologists have long been interested in the impact of social and technological changes on personal networks. Using data from 1997 and 2017 Social Change Survey social network modules, this study investigates changes in confidant network size and social isolation in Taiwan over the past two decades. Results indicate a decline in core network confidants from 4.6 to 2.9, and an increase in degree of social isolation from 3% to 19%. Methodological and substantive explanations for these findings are discussed. Possible methodological artifacts include interviewer effect, respondent responsiveness, and questionnaire design, but in our view these do not represent complete explanations. We identified several rapid changes in demographics and social factors that might account for the core network decline, including aging population, high divorce rate, low fertility rate, growing education differentials, and increased female labor force participation. Our results underscore the need to consider both structural changes and cultural contexts when analyzing shrinking social networks in Taiwan.