Analytical_Essay

Analytical Essay 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 social, internet, participation, people, involvement, isolation, civic, television, relationships, life, increase, community, capital, burns, bonds, activities, wills, voting, variables, through, technology, substituting, reinforce, real, quality, prove, much, involved, habits, greeley, depression, democratic, decline, connections, cohen, americans