There is a strong correlation between social capital and the social well-being of people within a particular community. What happens when that social capital gets weak? Social capital is defined as what “holds a community together and provides the structural and interaction resources that enable people to benefit from their association with each other.” (Hutter, 454) Who would’ve thought that communicating and interacting with strangers in a city would have a positive affect on a person’s well-being? Being involved in programs or organizations within a community has social benefits as well. All in all, “social capital promotes social networks, trust, and civil society” within an urban city (Hutter, 454). According to Robert Putnam, “social
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But how are these causing less social interaction and more solitary time. Two-income families have become increasingly necessary to keep up with today’s financial pressures and the cost of living. Women in the workforce also leaves less time for social activities and a decrease in time spent with family, friends, neighbors, and community organizations. Living in a suburb usually means you have to commute to and from work, or to shopping malls, complex’s, etc. This also cuts down time for social encounters because of all the time spent travelling to and from destinations. One of the biggest downfalls of social capital in my opinion is electronic home entertainment. While you may be spending time with family and friends at home on the couch, the point of social capital is to network within your community which benefits yourself and …show more content…
For Putnam, the answer is a firm no. He feels that the internet “had not fostered social and political awareness, led to greater organizational involvement, not stimulated personal action and interaction” (Hutter, 457). I would have to agree with him in saying that, “social capital is primarily generated by face-to-face communal interactions” (Hutter, 457). Some people tend to think otherwise and feel that the internet provides countless networking opportunities across the world that otherwise wouldn’t be so easily tangible. It is unreal to think that 97% of people with college degrees use the internet. Internet use could be necessary for someone’s job, but do you think it can cut into personal/private time? Because the internet is up and running 24 hours a day, that means we are accessible 24 hours a day. The internet could maintain community networks according sociologist Barry Wellman, but does is that the same as traditional social capital? Along with his colleague Keith Hampton, through research of residents of a suburban neighborhood, Wellman concluded that the internet could in fact “provide new opportunities for family and social relationships and engagements with the community” (Hutter, 458). In my opinion, I do feel that the internet can increase social networking, especially among long distance family members and friends. I also feel that it is instrumental in networking across the
But how are these causing less social interaction and more solitary time. Two-income families have become increasingly necessary to keep up with today’s financial pressures and the cost of living. Women in the workforce also leaves less time for social activities and a decrease in time spent with family, friends, neighbors, and community organizations. Living in a suburb usually means you have to commute to and from work, or to shopping malls, complex’s, etc. This also cuts down time for social encounters because of all the time spent travelling to and from destinations. One of the biggest downfalls of social capital in my opinion is electronic home entertainment. While you may be spending time with family and friends at home on the couch, the point of social capital is to network within your community which benefits yourself and …show more content…
For Putnam, the answer is a firm no. He feels that the internet “had not fostered social and political awareness, led to greater organizational involvement, not stimulated personal action and interaction” (Hutter, 457). I would have to agree with him in saying that, “social capital is primarily generated by face-to-face communal interactions” (Hutter, 457). Some people tend to think otherwise and feel that the internet provides countless networking opportunities across the world that otherwise wouldn’t be so easily tangible. It is unreal to think that 97% of people with college degrees use the internet. Internet use could be necessary for someone’s job, but do you think it can cut into personal/private time? Because the internet is up and running 24 hours a day, that means we are accessible 24 hours a day. The internet could maintain community networks according sociologist Barry Wellman, but does is that the same as traditional social capital? Along with his colleague Keith Hampton, through research of residents of a suburban neighborhood, Wellman concluded that the internet could in fact “provide new opportunities for family and social relationships and engagements with the community” (Hutter, 458). In my opinion, I do feel that the internet can increase social networking, especially among long distance family members and friends. I also feel that it is instrumental in networking across the