Problem
Shrinking community life
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Limited cooperative eventsInfrequent unifying activities
Infrequent social events
Limited social programme
Fragmented community interaction
Nature:
The fragmented structure of many communities precludes various groupings gathering to interact in working together as a single unit to accomplish common aims. The result is a steadily shrinking base of involvement in the care for the community, and the remaining leadership core is overloaded. Incidence:
The many community-wide concerns in small towns result in residents feeling at cross purposes and unable to take effective action. In a struggle to keep going at all, local organizations reduce their scope to limited traditional activities, and most of these are for members only. The result is conflicting meetings, multi-memberships and competing events, further fracturing of community life. People who work outside of their community come home to television and retire early with no opportunity for local involvement; empty sidewalks and streets either with no businesses or early closing stores and cafes underline the isolated pattern of life of most residents. Unique celebrations such as parades and festivals which could demonstrate community individuality no longer exist. The primary means of communication is word of mouth, forthcoming events receive little publicity, and numbers of neighbours have never met each other. New families see no way to be involved, so personal commitment to family, work and recreation become their primary focus. Broader Problems:
Social fragmentationCommunity demoralizationDisengagement of citizens from community activities Narrower Problems:
Decline of street lifeInsufficient cultural nodesStagnating school enrolmentHome-bound leisure activitiesDiscouraged creative potentialUnorganized community recreationRestriction of social life to familyFragmentation of social structures in depressed areasDelusions over responsibility for community improvements Aggravates:
RumourUnbalanced social lifeLack of leadership initiativeSocial isolation of the elderlyInadequate facilities for youthUnavailability of community centresLack of sharing of community skillsBreakdown of local community cohesionWeak organization of community action Strategies:
Strengthening community interactionLimiting social programmeFreeing up social programmes Subject(s):
Action → Action Society → Social
Society → Communities
Social Activity → Friendship
Value Redistribution → Cooperative
Innovative change → Appropriateness
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST