The Sociology of Community Connections

ISBN-13: 9789400716322 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 356 str.

John G. Bruhn

Opis

Many of our current social problems have been attributed to the breakdown or loss of community as a place and to the fragmentation of connections due to an extreme value of individualism in the Western world, particularly in the United States. Not all scholars and researchers agree that individualism and technology are the primary culprits in the loss of community as it existed in the middle decade of the 20th century. Nonetheless, people exist in groups, and connections are vital to their existence and in the daily performance of activities. The second edition of the Sociology of Community Connections will identify and help students understand community connectedness in the present and future.

Spis treści

1. Social Connections

Introduction

Our Earliest Connections

Transmitting Culture and Beliefs

Environment and Modeling

Generalizing Attachment Experiences

When Social Bonding Fails

Attachments Across the Lifecycle

Community Attachments

Shifting Values, Changing Connections

Purposeful Connections

Summary

            Questions for Discussion;- 

1. Conceptions of Community: Past and Present

Introduction

European Conceptions of Community

American Conceptions of Community

Contemporary Urban Sociology

Social Movements and Conceptions of Community

Loose Connections: Moving to the Center of the Continuum

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Common Ties: Immigrant, Refugee, and Ethnic Communities

Introduction

A New Evolving Multi-Ethnic America

Newcomers with Old Connections

Adaptation

The Ethnic Neighborhood and Its Networks

The Health Effects of Immigration

Summary

            Questions for Discussion;-

 

4.      Mobile Communities: The Tentative Ties of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

Introduction

Regional Migration Patterns

Becoming a Sojourner

Migrant Communities: The Colonias

Migrant Camps

La Familia: Survival and Adaptation

Different Migrants, Different Cultures, Different Connections

Positive Connections

The Health of Farmworkers

The Health Care Disconnection

New Connections

The Role of Culture in Health Services Utilization

Summary

            Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Fragmented Ties: The Poor and the Homeless

Introduction

Who Are the Homeless?

Poverty and Homelessness as Indicators of National Health

Social Connections and Networks: The Urban Poor and Homeless

The Shelter: Temporary Connections

Rural Homelessness

Poverty and Homelessness: Processes of Disconnectedness

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Communities in Crisis: Reconnecting Frayed Social Ties

Introduction

How Disasters Change Social Ties

Reconnecting Through Collective Coping

Resilience, Social Capital, and Rebuilding

Continuing Disasters

Threats of Disaster

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

7.      Communities of Exclusion and Excluded Communities: Barriers to    Neighboring

Introduction

Communities with Walls and Gates

Private Neighborhoods and Tentative Neighboring

Excluded Communities

Social Inclusion

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Connecting Seniors: Social Networks of Value

Introduction

Connectedness and Aging

Attitudes Toward Aging in Different Cultures

Aging: Different Degrees of Connectedness

Aging, Disconnections, and Modernization

Longevity and a Healthy Lifestyle

Aging and Networking

Livable Communities for Seniors

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Connections of Faith: Religion as Community

Introduction

Changing Connections

The Religious Community in Transition

The Growth and Civic Engagement of Non-Christian Immigrants

Religious/Spiritual Connections

Religion, Spirituality, and Health

Religious Groups, Spiritual Capital, and Forgiveness

Religious Communities and Health

Religion and Disease Prevention

Faith-Based Communities and Organizations

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Vital Bonds: Social Support, Social Networks, and Health

Introduction

Understanding Social Support

Social Support Shaped by Culture

Social Support and Social Networks

Social Support, Social Networks, and Health

Self-Help and Support Groups

Social Support and Community Health

The Effects of Acculturation and Social Change on Family and Community 

      Cohesion

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. The Social Internet: Cybercommunities

Introduction

The Scope of Internet Diffusion

The Networked Family

The Effects of Internet Diffusion

Community Networks

The Virtual Organization

The Virtual Self

Internet Ethics

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Virtual Connections in New Work Environments

Introduction

Collaboration: An Alternative Work Style

Workplace Communities

Effects of Virtuality on the Cultures of Organizations

Organizations as Communities

The Organization as a Community: An Example

The Future of the Workplace in a Distributed World

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Ecologically Sustainable Communities: Place-Based and Purpose-Based

Connections

            Introduction

            Ecology, Sustainability, and Community

            The Ecological Footprint Model

            A Sense of Place and Sense of Purpose

            Building a New Ethic of Sustainability

            Summary

            Questions for Discussion;-

 

1. Solitary Communities: Disconnecting From the Common Good

Introduction

Communication in Solitary Communities

Sources of Disconnections

Reconnections

Communities of the Future

Sustainable Communities

Summary

Questions for Discussion;-

 

Notes;-

 

References;-

 

Index