Theory Team
Hello, and welcome to the theory page. Our goal is to research theories in depth that tie into the true meaning of community. In order to be succesful with this project we need to enhance our knowledge on many different theories. Once we grasp enough knowledge on different theories, we will be able to conclude why school systems reach outstanding debt, and why lunch shaming occurs in different school districts. Make sure to stay in tune with our weekly updates and important links.
Week One Update
As stated by Bourdieu Coleman, relationships revolve around money. Without profit being made, the relationships are useless and therefore discarded. This theory has tied into our project. It proves how school systems don’t care about the students, but rather the capital made from them. Bourdieu defined social capital, such as accumulated labor, the capital comes in two forms, cultural and social, one is based on resources and another on education. According to Robert Putnam, social capital has decreased, thus meaning connections and community involvement has decreased.
Week Two Update
Wirth and Tonnies
Wirth and Tonnies have mastered the secondary ties theory. As a team we have done massive ammounts of research about secondary ties and how we can tie that in with school systems. We are beginning to realize that a school has secondary ties with students and federal and student funds. As a result, we are beginning to inquire that these secondary ties are a part of the problem.
Week Three Update
“Above all, is the Internet reducing people’s reliance on face-to-face interaction, or does it provide a complementary means of communicating?” - John Field Social Capital page 93
We’ve all developed strong connections within the online community, but do these ties strengthen the ones that are face-to-face, or do they abolish them? This is when our understanding of primary ties versus secondary ties comes in, one comes to an end once there isn’t a use for it any longer while the other is based on nurturing and growth, without benefits. However, in modern societies we see that most communities work around beneficial relationships, if there is no benefit, then there’s no need for the relationship.
“Capital is accumulated labor (in its materialized form or its “incorporated,” embodied form) which, when appropriated on a private, i.e., exclusive, basis by agents or groups of agents, enables them to appropriate social energy in the form of reified or living labor.” -Pierre Bourdieu Forms of Capital page 15
“Communities with low levels of crime, and high regard for and from the police, will be communities which find it easy to develop and maintain effective social ties.” page 62
High social capital leads to a better and well established community. Low crime rate tends to be do to a more involved community who has stronger relationships than an underdeveloped one. When communities have stronger social ties, they look out more for one another and are more motivated to benefit the community rather than harm it. These social ties become a foundation for the community that keeps it maintained and away from disunity, where everyone's for themselves.