Security function and mechanism of social networks on vulnerable groups: A theoretic framework

On the course to establish a harmonious society, social security of vulnerable groups has been catching special attentions from the government. But until recently, almost all the research on social security of vulnerable groups has focused on formal security systems, and research on informal systems as security functions and mechanisms of social networks severely lags behind. This study advances that there are four security functions of vulnerable groups´ social networks: material security, safety security, spirit security, and respect security; deeply analyzes the achievement mechanisms of these four types of security functions. We further considers that social networks contains individual and social level social capital which can provide vulnerable groups with information, resources, prestige, social shelter and other network effects, and theses network effects achieve social security functions on vulnerable groups in the form of meeting their material, safety, spirit, respect needs.