BOOK REVIEW – BOWLING ALONE: THE COLLAPSE AND REVIVAL OF AMERICAN COMMUNITY

By Lisa Pridmore

Schools and neighborhoods with strong connections between individuals work better. The people living in socially connected neighborhoods are happier, healthier, and more economically stable. The children are better taken care of and fare better in school. These are the findings of Robert D. Putnam in his latest book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. In the book Putnam explores the value of “social capital” – the good will and social connections between people in communities. Social capital is the glue that holds communities together. Today, people are less likely to join organizations, volunteer, vote, or socialize with friends than they were 40 years ago, and it is having a drastic effect on their well being.

F&ST can help improve individual and child well being because it builds social capital. Participating in F&ST develops parent’s social networks. Of the parents who participated in F&ST, 86% said they made new friends. F&ST creates stronger ties between the community and the school; 91% of parents report being more involved in the school community.

In his book Putnam gives proof that when parents and the wider community work with schools, students get better grades and go further in school. The children succeed not only in school, but throughout life.

Putnam argues that American civil society is breaking down. He has amassed huge amounts of statistical information that shows Americans are more disconnected from their families, friends, neighbors and communities and more politically isolated than they have ever been since the turn of the 20th century. The breadth of information is astounding--yes, he really has statistics showing people are less likely to take Sunday picnics nowadays. Dozens of charts and graphs track everything from trends in PTA participation to the amount of time a person spends schmoozing each day.

Bowling Alone would appeal to anyone interested in the state of families and communities today. Despite the fact that the book and the statistics it is based on are American, it is still quite fascinating. The decline of social capital is not just an American phenomenon; it is happening in Canada as well. For Canadian information on Social Capital see: Mapping Social Cohesion: The State of Canadian Research by Jane Jenson, Canadian Policy Research Networks, 1998.

Isuma Canadian Journal of Policy Research spring 2001 issue, Social Capital.

Watch for upcoming articles and information on social capital in future issues of Let’s Talk Families and F&ST Forward.