Fragmented social responsibility

Small communities are increasingly faced with the task of shifting their operating base from that of the individual unit to one of the community as a whole. Wherever individual concerns are emphasized at the expense of community concerns, systems for coordination are impeded. Groups and individuals engage in their separate activities in isolation from one another. Residents experience frustration at the relative lack of community services and fragmented village communication.

While signs of unified community pride and enthusiasm are appearing in many rural communities, there are no systems to reinforce unity and enthusiasm. There are apparently no formal channels of communication that bridge the diverse religious, racial and economic groups of small communities. This results in: competition for community space rather than coordination; reluctance of neighbours to hire each other for fear of possible ruptured friendships over work disagreements; a sense among residents of being unconnected with the community, as personality differences override community issues.