Analytical Essay

2 Pages 534 Words

The question Putnam poses in reference to social isolation and social involvement is a very debatable topic in today’s society (Burns, 12). Today there is an abundant and growing presence of social isolation in terms of social capital. Social capital is defined as participation in voluntary associations that reinforce democratic and civic habits of discussion, compromise, and respect for differences (Burns, 10).
Americans have recently shown a decline in their involvement in various activities, which would be beneficial as a group, not just on a personal level. According to S. Cohen & Wills when citizens are involved in civic life, their schools run more efficiently, their politicians are more open for response, and their streets become safer. The lower the crime rates the more cohesive the community (FBI/ UCR, 1995).
Social capital has proven to be an empirical concept measured on certain variables. These variables include: community participation, proactively in a social context, feeling safe and trusting, connecting with neighbors, family and friend connections, diversity tolerance, valuing life, and work connections (Bullen and Onyx, 1998). On an individual basis, social isolation can be associated with poor quality of life and deteriorating physical and psychological health ( S. Cohen & Wills).
A possible source of the lack of involvement may be a product of the uprise of technology such as the Internet. Scholars have been arguing that the Internet is causing social isolation and is cutting them off from the well-needed social relationships. The Internet also proved to provide an increase in depression and loneliness (Stoll, 1995; Turkle, 1996). Although changes in labor force participation of women and divorces account for some of the decline in social participation and an increase of depression since the 1960’s, technological change played a major role. Television, an earlier technology like the internet in some ways, r...