Problem
Attenuation of group relationships
Other Names:
Declining coherence of social groupsErosion of interpersonal bonds
Non-communal life of megacities
Undermining of community togetherness
Nature:
If the maintenance of close group ties is essential to the social and mental well-being of humans, clearly groups can reach sizes beyond which the invisible ties between their members become so attenuated that for all practical purposes they cease to operate. Dysfunctions then set in.
Incidence:
There is evidence to suggest that beyond a maximum community size of 150,000, communities begin to experience an ever increasing amount of fragmentation, deviance, criminality, social stress, alcoholism and mental illness. In studies of cities in the USA, those with least stress averaged 116,000 people. In the USA studies have indicated that 68% of people do not know their next door neighbour.
Broader Problems:
Megacity crisisFragmented community image Related Problems:
Lack of social contactUnmeaningful relationships to place Aggravates:
Breakdown of local community cohesion Strategies:
Forging distinctive community identityBuilding social cohesionEroding interpersonal bonds Subject(s):
Amenities → TownsCommerce → Currency
Innovative change → Appropriateness
Life → Life
Principles → Values
Social Activity → Friendship
Social Activity → Friendship groups
Society → Communities
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST