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This volume is a study of the patterns of social support among Chinese working mothers in Beijing to develop an understanding of the Chinese conception of social support. This study is a result of research carried out in China on the topic. The support networks are conceptualized by the author as the "Chinese communal support networks", salient features include their communal nature, holistic provision of resources, rigid boundary between "insiders" and "outsiders"; the absorbtion of non-kin members; reciprocity through life; distinctive gender divisions among members and an emphasis on harmony as the integrative thread for the networks. These networks are facing increasing challenges, the economic recession of state owned enterprises; escalating inflation; diminishing role of the "danweis" in welfare provisions; rising expectations and aspirations; growing inequalities and shifting values all contribute to undermine support capacity. The author proposes that in order to maintain the networks social work, interventions have to be developed at the network, neighbourhood and policy levels to strengthen the existinig networks and to fill the gaps where networks are inadequate. The introduction of formal social work interventions is envisaged to be a necessary inevitable development in the People's Republic of China.