self-help-groups
Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous that offer peer support and emotional aid, often substituting for weakened traditional social networks.
2 chapters across 1 book
Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000)Robert D. Putnam
Chapter 9 explores countertrends to the decline of social capital in America by examining the rise and role of small groups, social movements, and telecommunications. It highlights the growth of small support and self-help groups as important sources of emotional and social support, contrasting them with traditional civic associations, and discusses the historical and civic significance of reading and discussion groups. The chapter also considers the impact of social movements and emerging virtual communities on social connectedness and civic engagement.
Chapter 9 examines the role of small groups, social movements, and the internet in shaping American community engagement. It analyzes the persistence and decline of traditional small groups such as literary and self-help groups, explores the dynamics and political strategies of social movements including civil rights and environmental activism, and discusses the challenges and transformations these movements face in the modern era. The chapter also considers the impact of organizational professionalization, membership recruitment, and fundraising on the vitality of social movements and community participation.