Bowling Alone and a Lack of Socialization

Although this piece took a little longer to get into, it was very interesting to read and analyze. The discussions on how social capital has decreased and worsen over the last several decades is disheartening, but understandable. Putnam's ideas branch off directly from Cheever and his thoughts on gender equality.

The fact that women have progressively been becoming more prominent in the workforce is a definite explanation for lack of social capital. Women are busier now and they are juggling a job and their part of the household duties. This makes it harder to branch out into social groups, and in turn has an impact on the participation of men in social groups. With their wives at work men are forced to do more around the house to help out, and have less energy to get involved in additional social groups. This idea is not so bad considering women are becoming equal on the societal level with men.

On the other hand, technology is having an impact that is not necessary a positive one. Yes, technology is taking us places that we have never seen before. However, televisions, computers, and video games are making it impossible for this country's social capital to remain high. With individuals and families staying in the home and "vegging" there is no capability for social expansion. Unlike the claim for women entering the workforce, technology is not an acceptable excuse the decrease in social capital. In turn, the decrease has brought about health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Social capital is decreasing in this country, and its not a good thing. Lack of trust with the government keeps people secluded in addition to all the other factors. An increase in trust as a society may be the first step in bringing out social capital back to normal here in the United States of America.