General Social Survey, Cycle 17, 2003 [Canada]: Social Engagement

Cycle 17 of the GSS is the first cycle to collect detailed information on social engagement in Canada. Topics include social contact with friends and relatives, unpaid help given and received, volunteering and charitable giving, civic engagement, political engagement, religious participation, trust and reciprocity. The survey gathers information on social networks in the everyday lives of Canadians. Respondents are asked about their frequency of contact with relatives and friends, the quality of this contact (i.e., face-to- face, by phone, or by e-mail/Internet) and the size of their social networks. The distinction made between the number of close relatives, close friends, and other friends is considered important for the analysis of outcomes associated with close/weak ties, and kin/non-kin ties. The module ‘Social Contact – General’ includes questions designed to support the analysis of “bridging” and “bonding.” “Bridging” refers to social ties that exist among different groups of people. “Bonding” refers to social ties that exist within a group, among people who are similar. This section also includes measures of social support and reciprocity. Respondents are asked about unpaid help they have received from relatives, friends, neighbours, and other persons, as well as unpaid help they have given.