Sociology and Family Life
Introduction to the research area.
Within the long tradition of sociological theory, among the writers such as Durkheim, Marx, Weber,Tonnies, and Simmel has been concerned about the loss of community and the weakening of social relationships and the bonds. In the modern theories of social capital which originated in the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu and James Coleman, emphasizing the importance of social ties and shared norms for societal well-being and economic efficiency. There are multiple and alternative understandings of this concept. It is been argued by these thinkers that the changes mentioned above within the family life constitute a loss of social capital within families thus representing a weakening of family bonds and norms of trust and reciprocity (Fukuyama 1999). Putnam (1995) says that this in turn lead to declining levels of community attachment and trust, which are key dimensions of community social capital. The relationship between the family change within the above variables and the community life has rarely been the focus of empirical research (Hugues and Stone, 2003.)
There had been discussions on this topic from different perspectives; one is that value systems, solidarity, trust, reciprocity within the family itself is linked to the social capital of the family life while there are other wide range of studies that talks about the value of social capital in community wellbeing, development and progress.
Explaining on the social capital within the context of community for the benefit of this study, it should be noted that the notion of social capital is bit complex and has been discussed in relation to many aspects of community development and wellbeing .it should be also noted that it differs from human capital although sometimes it brings about similar characteristics and involve human capacity at both ends. According to the OECD report human capital is embodied in individuals and social capital resides in social relationships. According
Within the long tradition of sociological theory, among the writers such as Durkheim, Marx, Weber,Tonnies, and Simmel has been concerned about the loss of community and the weakening of social relationships and the bonds. In the modern theories of social capital which originated in the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu and James Coleman, emphasizing the importance of social ties and shared norms for societal well-being and economic efficiency. There are multiple and alternative understandings of this concept. It is been argued by these thinkers that the changes mentioned above within the family life constitute a loss of social capital within families thus representing a weakening of family bonds and norms of trust and reciprocity (Fukuyama 1999). Putnam (1995) says that this in turn lead to declining levels of community attachment and trust, which are key dimensions of community social capital. The relationship between the family change within the above variables and the community life has rarely been the focus of empirical research (Hugues and Stone, 2003.)
There had been discussions on this topic from different perspectives; one is that value systems, solidarity, trust, reciprocity within the family itself is linked to the social capital of the family life while there are other wide range of studies that talks about the value of social capital in community wellbeing, development and progress.
Explaining on the social capital within the context of community for the benefit of this study, it should be noted that the notion of social capital is bit complex and has been discussed in relation to many aspects of community development and wellbeing .it should be also noted that it differs from human capital although sometimes it brings about similar characteristics and involve human capacity at both ends. According to the OECD report human capital is embodied in individuals and social capital resides in social relationships. According