Becoming More Connected To Others – Increasing Social Capital

In his groundbreaking book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, author Robert Putnam discusses how we have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and even our democracy – and how we may reconnect.  Putnam warns that our stock of social capital – the very fabric of our connections with each other, has plummeted, impoverishing our lives and communities.

He draws on evidence including nearly 500,000 interviews over the last quarter century to show that we sign fewer petitions, belong to fewer organizations that meet, know our neighbors less, meet with friends less frequently, and even socialize with our families less often. We’re even bowling alone. More Americans are bowling than ever before, but they are not bowling in leagues. Putnam shows how changes in work, family structure, age, suburban life, television, computers, women’s roles and other factors have contributed to a significant reduction in the social capital in our society. There are several declining trends in social capital over the past 25 years including:  Attending Club Meetings – 58% drop; Family dinners – 43% drop; Having friends over – 35% drop.

What does “social capital” mean?
The central premise of social capital is that social networks have value. Social capital refers to the collective value of all “social networks” [who people know] and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other [“norms of reciprocity”]

How does social capital work?
The term social capital emphasizes not just warm and cuddly feelings, but a wide variety of quite specific benefits that flow from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks. Social capital creates value for the people who are connected and – at least sometimes – for bystanders as well.  When a group of neighbors informally keep an eye on one another’s homes, that’s social capital in action. Barn-raising on the frontier was social capital in action, and so too are e-mail exchanges among members of a cancer support group. Social capital can be found in friendship networks, neighborhoods, churches, schools, bridge clubs, civic associations, as examples. 

CONSDIER THIS:

Question 1:  What things in your life have caused a decrease in your “social capital”?  HDIFAMA? 
(For example:  daily commutes, living further distance from family, longer work week, both spouses working outside the home, less attendance of family reunions and get-togethers, full schedules, less church attendance, children grown and those social networks are gone, cell phone, social media or computer usage, business travel, television usage, less vacation time, etc.)

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS:
What are some things that destroy social capital in your life?  

Is your level of social capital different than that of your family of origin?

While traveling to promote his book, Putnam found that one question came up at every appearance: what can we do to end the atrophy of America’s civic vitality. What can bring us together again?

Seeking an answer to this question, Putnam, a professor of public policy at Harvard, with the assistance of coauthor Lewis Feldstein, who has a long and distinguished career in civic activism, visited places across the country where individuals and groups are engaged in unusual forms of social activism and civic renewal. These are people who are renewing their communities and investing in new forms of “social capital.” His second book, Better Together describes a dozen innovative organizations that are re-weaving the social fabric of our country, and brings the hopeful news that our civic institutions are taking new forms to adapt to new times and new needs.

The website, BetterTogether.org, is an initiative of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. This initiative specifically mentions that the strengthening influence of spiritual faith as one of the most important aspects of social capital. Religious and faith-based organizations represent half of the nation’s total stock of social capital. Better Together endorses fortifying congregations as civic institutions and encourages inter-faith partnerships. 

As a matter of fact, joining and participating in one group cuts in half your odds of dying next year. And the benefits of a strong social network can improve marriage, as well.  It is known that communication, affirmation, emotional intimacy, and having the support of other couples are important in sustaining a satisfying marriage.

Social capital is built through hundreds of little and big actions we take every day. Take a look at the list below of nearly 50 ideas, drawn from suggestions made by many people and groups. Try some of these or try your own. 

INCREASING SOCIAL CAPITAL – 50 SUGGESTIONS TO BECOME MORE CONNECTED WITH OTHERS