In my day-to-day life I have a household network, family network, friend network, class network and neighbouring network some of us relate based on social custom and some based on mutual benefit, we also relate on proximity and biology, regardless we do engage in reciprocity, which I will explain in this blog.

My father, mother, brother and sister are part of my household network, I relate biologically to all of them, my father earns money for the household, my mother manages that money for the household, together this brings resources to me and my siblings, which I reciprocate by doing chores and assisting my parents with my technological knowledge on their technological issues. With my siblings we have a division of labour, where we split responsibilities in order to make each other’s individual responsibilities lighter, specialization of labour makes our individual responsibilities lighter as a reciprocal result.

My family network includes my grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins. I am related to them biologically and by social custom, although I seldom encounter them, our exchange is that we try to support each other’s ambitions and provide opportunities for each other.

My friend network includes my 2 best friends and my old high school friends. I am related to them through social custom and mutual benefit. With my best friends. sometimes I cover the expenses of our gatherings at my place, and they reciprocate by covering the expenses of our gatherings at their place. I would inspire and tutor my best friend with schoolwork, and he reciprocates by analysing, advising, and supporting my exercises in the gym. My other best friend would play rhythm guitar as I reciprocate by playing lead guitar when writing songs. My old high school friends would sometimes visit me when they are in town and tell me what has been going on in their lives and I would reciprocate by telling them what has been going on in my life.

My class network includes my classmates, who are usually seated close by, and this network also includes my lecturers. I am related to my classmates and lecturers through a professional as well as a mutual benefit relationship. With my classmates I am also related on a social custom relationship because it is expected that I network with the person seated next to me. With my classmates I have a reciprocal relationship where we remind each other of homework and assignments. With my lecturers I have a reciprocal relationship because by asking questions I get clarity on the course material, and in turn they get insight into what topics may need more attention.

My neighbouring network involves a mechanic and a wildlife conservationist. We are related by social custom and proximity. Since I used to be an IT student, I usually help them with their computer and Wi-Fi problems when they arise, in exchange the mechanic helps us when car problems arise, and the wildlife conservationist catches snakes if they make it into our yard.