Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American CommunityOnce we bowled in leagues, usually after work—but no longer. This seemingly small phenomenon symbolizes a significant social change that Robert Putnam has identified in this brilliant volume, which The Economist hailed as “a prodigious achievement.” Drawing on vast new data that reveal Americans’ changing behavior, Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and how social structures—whether they be PTA, church, or political parties—have disintegrated. Until the publication of this groundbreaking work, no one had so deftly diagnosed the harm that these broken bonds have wreaked on our physical and civic health, nor had anyone exalted their fundamental power in creating a society that is happy, healthy, and safe. Like defining works from the past, such as The Lonely Crowd and The Affluent Society, and like the works of C. Wright Mills and Betty Friedan, Putnam’s Bowling Alone has identified a central crisis at the heart of our society and suggests what we can do. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 87
Page 149
... group that meets regularly and provides support or caring for those who participate in it . " Roughly half of these groups are Sunday school classes , prayer fellowships , Bible study groups , and other church - related groups of the ...
... group that meets regularly and provides support or caring for those who participate in it . " Roughly half of these groups are Sunday school classes , prayer fellowships , Bible study groups , and other church - related groups of the ...
Page 150
... groups in the 1960s and 1970s as in the late 1990s . In fact , since participation in such groups is heaviest among single women and college grad- uates , and since those categories encompass a higher portion of Americans today than ...
... groups in the 1960s and 1970s as in the late 1990s . In fact , since participation in such groups is heaviest among single women and college grad- uates , and since those categories encompass a higher portion of Americans today than ...
Page 151
... group therapy . An increasing body of evi- dence suggests that support groups — and especially the interpersonal ties that they offer - provide measurable health and emotional benefits to many partici- pants . 10 In some respects support ...
... group therapy . An increasing body of evi- dence suggests that support groups — and especially the interpersonal ties that they offer - provide measurable health and emotional benefits to many partici- pants . 10 In some respects support ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
activities adults African Americans American analysis of DDB Author's analysis average Barry Wellman behavior boomers bowling chapter Chicago church attendance cities citizens civic disengagement civic engagement club meetings cohort community projects compared computer-mediated communication correlated DDB Needham decades decline Democracy demographic economic effects entertainment environmental evidence fewer figure forms fraction friends Gilded Age groups growth half important income individual Internet Journal less levels membership ment mobility National National Election Study nearly Needham Life Style neighborhood neighbors organizational organizations parents participation percent Political Trends surveys poll population predictor Progressive Era religion religious reported Research Robert Roper Social roughly Social and Political social capital social connectedness social networks Social Survey social trust society Statistics Style survey archive television Theda Skocpol tion turnout twentieth century University Press Urban virtually voluntary associations volunteering voting watching women workplace York