When I was growing up I was fortunate enough to have both sets of grandparents. I enjoyed listening to their stories, which, at least to a young boy, made even the tough times seem exciting and interesting. One of the common threads in many of their recollections was a concept I now recognize as socialization: being part of groups, organizations, neighborhoods, etc. I suppose they looked at their earlier years as better in that regard, and rightfully so because the social environment in this country has been turned on its head.

In Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, Robert D. Putnam takes on an extensive study of what he calls "social capital," the concept that social networks have value. The central theme is to investigate what has happened to civic and social life in American communities. Is the socialization of my grandparent's day gone forever?

Americans have long been joiners; in church's, clubs, sports and even politics. At least we used to be. Putnam provides compelling evidence that those days may be well behind us now. Membership in civic groups, religious organizations, and even professional associations, while sometimes larger in total numbers has declined significantly as a percentage of the population. Interestingly, the number of associations, such as those connected to the environmental movement, has grown immensely, but they aren't necessarily the social networks of old as much as political action groups.

Even informal neighborhood and small group socialization has decreased. Putnam predicts that by about 2020, no one will be playing card games anymore. Perhaps that's an extreme statement, but surveys do show a steep decline in that activity. In another example, his research shows that while overall the numbers of people who bowl have not decreased, the numbers participating in leagues has. While the nature of bowling tends to lead to at least some social intercourse, the resulting socialization is not nearly what a bowling league provides. Also, and this might be somewhat surprising, attendance at, and even participation in sporting events has also declined.

Change in social participation can also be seen in volunteering and monetary contributions. Volunteer numbers have decreased, with the exception of one group; those age 60 and over (in 2000 when this book was published) who now have the time to give to such endeavors. Similarly, overall financial contributions to various causes have decreased. That may seem like an erroneous statement because total contributions have actually increased. But, as a percentage of the population and the total dollars available, there has been a decidedly sharp decline.

So why is all this happening? Putnam proposes several factors that influence this decline in social capital, such as the pressures of time and money as two income households become the norm and everyone's life seems to get busier and busier. Other influences are mobility and the fact that small town America tends to be giving way to urbanization of the population. Of course technology seems to be a contributor as well.

Does all this matter. Putnam provides evidence that it does, in such things as crime statistics, childhood development, and even individual health. His facts are indeed compelling and I for one was left with a sense that while this is a serious issue, it can only be fixed by individuals starting to voluntarily do those things that lead to the "social capital" the author seems to be longing for.

Bowing Alone is an intriguing work that is extremely well documented and includes very detailed data throughout the text as well as three appendices. I must note though that the book was published in 2000 and in our current, fast moving society, some of his data is possibly dated. However, if anything, new studies would probably present even more evidence in support of Putnam's premise.

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