Thus my search for clarity began with Wikipedia. As I read more into the ambiguity of social capital, I decided to read the first text written in 1916 using the word social capital by a fellow that I have never even heard of L.J. Hanifan. While reading The community centerI was surprised how much is still relevant today. One quote spoke to exactly what Professor Rhodes was talking about in class- social class as it relates to the individual, to the family, and the community
The individual is helpless socially, if left to himself. Even the association of the members of one's own family fails to satisfy that desire which every normal individual has of being with his fellows, of being a part of a larger group than the family. If he comes into contact with his neighbors, there will be an accumulation of social capital, which may immediately satisfy his social needs and which may bear a social potentiality sufficient for the substantial improvement of life in the whole community. The community as a whole will benefit by the cooperation of all its parts, while the individual will find in his associations the advantages of the help, the sympathy, and the fellowship of his neigh- bors.Hanifan
So that is one of the meanings of social capital- it is the connections one makes with members of society that increases the individual's personal potential to improve society as a whole. If individuals are isolated from society, they have low social capital because they do not have the opportunity to use their skills and talents to better the outside world- like building a new park or proposing a new ordinance. Their potential (their capital) is just wasted, and society does not improve/ advance.
The author (a superintendent)'s main point is the need for (rural) school teachers to work with the community programs (w/ parental involvement) to help increase enrollment in school (Education increases social capital). He talks about how teachers and community leaders (in rural settings using the school teachers) should make house calls and encourage parents to come to community meetings. Even though some of the examples of the author are outdated, the need for a strong relationship between family, school, and community remains significant.
In thinking about developing a youth program, this relationship is pivotal for the children individually to increase their social capital.
The community center
ReplyDeleteLR>>Good detective work -- discovering that Lyda Hanifan predated the oft-cited originators of social capital concept. Another early and overlooked thinker is Jane Jacobs -- Death and Life of Great American Cities. (Jacobs was based in Toronto. As an city planner, she helped ignite the 'sustainable cities' movement long before the movement had a name.
ReplyDeleteThis website provides useful summary of social capital concept.
Here are several things to note in summary:
*Section: "Some critiques and developments of the Bowling Alone thesis, particularly the reference to work by Robert Sampson and colleagues.
*Authors referenced
*Terms and definitions
*Bibliography (for additional leads; works by Nan Lin missing)
Here are two items by Lin:
Lin, Nan. 2000. Inequality in Social Capital. Contemporary Sociology 29, no. 6 (November): 785-795.
Lin, Nan, and Bonnie Erickson. 2008. Social Capital.
LR>>
ReplyDeleteBe aware of this article by Farr:
Farr, James. 2004. Social Capital: A Conceptual History. Political Theory 32, no. 1 (February): 6-33.
It includes quite a bit of info that should help you and others think through how we might use the term/concept. Note two sections in particular.
One is discussion of (John) Dewey and critical pragmatism (p. 14), with its emphasis on 'associational' relationships. Dewey said, "society means association; coming together in joint intercourse and action for the better realization of any form of experience which is augmented and confirmed by being shared ... Democracy itself was nothing other than a "mode of associated living" experienced by citizens in and through their communication with each other, via associations, education, and public work." The idea of associated living and communication links directly to another of our themes, (family and community) communication networks.
The second section is the Back to the Future section (p.25), with attendant discussion of poor, marginalized communities (p. 27) Farr draws contrast social capital as a category of political economy v. the non-capital view -- social capital as social/associational relationships/networks.