My Mechanical Solidarity and Gemeinschaft Community
Mechanical Solidarity is a social structure proposed by sociologist Emile Durkheim. It is based on the idea that small communities are held together by their common surroundings and limited opportunities. Gemeinschaft coincides closely with this theory, and focuses on the fellowship felt and created within these small societies. The community which I reside in fits perfectly within these two categories. I was born and raised in Sharpsburg, GA. It is a very small southern city that most people have never even heard of. As of 2013, it’s population is a mere three-hundred and fifty-one people. It is the type of community where everybody knows each other. Everyone has something in common, whether it be a job, a school, or a religion. And it most cases, it’s all three. Religion is one of the strongest aspects of our community. Nearly every person in our city is a Christian; it’s almost impossible to find someone who isn’t. The shared religious belief is something …show more content…
Values are extremely important, and because everyone is so close to one another, it’s almost like you’re raising each other. Your actions are a reflection of their actions. Which also means that your mistakes are their mistakes. These good, well-mannered values are reinforced on a daily basis. It is a major faux pas when a member of the community acts out in a rude or disrespectful manner. It is most certainly not tolerated either. If someone dares respond to an elder with an answer other than, “Yes, sir” or “No, ma’am,” then they will be immediately disciplined; and by the end of the day the entire city will know about the incident. This shows that the deep bond of camaraderie felt amongst the community is one that cannot be compared to when related to larger, urban
Mechanical Solidarity is a social structure proposed by sociologist Emile Durkheim. It is based on the idea that small communities are held together by their common surroundings and limited opportunities. Gemeinschaft coincides closely with this theory, and focuses on the fellowship felt and created within these small societies. The community which I reside in fits perfectly within these two categories. I was born and raised in Sharpsburg, GA. It is a very small southern city that most people have never even heard of. As of 2013, it’s population is a mere three-hundred and fifty-one people. It is the type of community where everybody knows each other. Everyone has something in common, whether it be a job, a school, or a religion. And it most cases, it’s all three. Religion is one of the strongest aspects of our community. Nearly every person in our city is a Christian; it’s almost impossible to find someone who isn’t. The shared religious belief is something …show more content…
Values are extremely important, and because everyone is so close to one another, it’s almost like you’re raising each other. Your actions are a reflection of their actions. Which also means that your mistakes are their mistakes. These good, well-mannered values are reinforced on a daily basis. It is a major faux pas when a member of the community acts out in a rude or disrespectful manner. It is most certainly not tolerated either. If someone dares respond to an elder with an answer other than, “Yes, sir” or “No, ma’am,” then they will be immediately disciplined; and by the end of the day the entire city will know about the incident. This shows that the deep bond of camaraderie felt amongst the community is one that cannot be compared to when related to larger, urban