Family FAQ June 2004

July 2004

What is social capital and how does it pertain to families?

No single, universally-recognized definition of “social capital” exists. According to Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community, the basic premise of social capital is that “social networks have value.” Putnam also says, “Social capital refers to the collective value of all ‘social networks' [who people know] and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other [‘norms of reciprocity'].” According to the definition on the World Bank Web site (http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/scapital/), social capital refers to the “ norms and networks that enable collective action.” With regard to families, social capital encompasses the social networks to which parents and families belong. In particular, social capital can also refer to any social support systems related to the needs of children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Social capital fosters community and can be found in friendship networks, neighborhoods, churches, schools, civic organizations, and clubs. It can take the form of keeping a watch on a neighbor's home while he or she is on vacation, or offering to pick up a friend's child from little league on a day that he or she has to work late.

Research suggests that s ocial networks that include caring adults can promote resilient outcomes in the face of developmental challenges (Werner & Smith, 1992; Kendziora & Osher, in press) and enhance the social capital of children and their families (Coleman, 1994; Portes, 1998). Furthermore, not only do social networks foster positive outcomes for children, but they can contribute to a sense of empowerment among parents. Everyone can benefit from extended social support networks of family and friends: those who are there to encourage and help us when we doubt ourselves, and those who share in our challenges and successes as well. While we seek and desire these support networks for ourselves and our families, we should extend such support and care to others as well.

Resources:

Coleman, J. S. (1994). Social capital, human capital, and investment in youth. In Petersen, A. C., & Mortimer, J. T. (Eds.), Youth Unemployment and Society (pp. 34-50). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Kendziora, K. T., & Osher, D. (in press). Fostering resilience among youth in the juvenile justice system. In C. C. Clauss-Ehlers & M. Weist (Eds.), Community Planning to Foster Resiliency in Children . New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

Portes, A. (1998). Social capital: Its origins and applications in modern sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 24 : 1-24.

Werner, E., & Smith, R. S. (1992). Overcoming the odds: High risk children from birth to adulthood. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health

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	July 2004 What is social capital and how does it pertain to families? No single, universally-recognized definition of “social capital” exists. According to Robert Putnam, the author of Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community, the basic premise of social capital is that “social networks have value.” Putnam also says, “Social capital refers to the collective value of all ‘social networks' [who people know] and the inclinations that arise from these networks to do things for each other [‘norms of reciprocity'].” According to the definition on the World Bank Web site (http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/scapital/), social capital refers to the “ norms and networks that enable collective action.” With regard to families, social capital encompasses the social networks to which parents and families belong. In particular, social capital can also refer to any social support systems related to the needs of children with serious emotional disturbances and their families. Social capital fosters community and can be found in friendship networks, neighborhoods, churches, schools, civic organizations, and clubs. It can take the form of keeping a watch on a neighbor's home while he or she is on vacation, or offering to pick up a friend's child from little league on a day that he or she has to work late. Research suggests that s ocial networks that include caring adults can promote resilient outcomes in the face of developmental challenges (Werner & Smith, 1992; Kendziora & Osher, in press) and enhance the social capital of children and their families (Coleman, 1994; Portes, 1998). Furthermore, not only do social networks foster positive outcomes for children, but they can contribute to a sense of empowerment among parents. Everyone can benefit from extended social support networks of family and friends: those who are there to encourage and help us when we doubt ourselves, and those who share in our challenges and successes as well. While we seek and desire these support networks for ourselves and our families, we should extend such support and care to others as well. Resources: Coleman, J. S. (1994). Social capital, human capital, and investment in youth. In Petersen, A. C., & Mortimer, J. T. (Eds.), Youth Unemployment and Society (pp. 34-50). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Kendziora, K. T., & Osher, D. (in press). Fostering resilience among youth in the juvenile justice system. In C. C. Clauss-Ehlers & M. Weist (Eds.), Community Planning to Foster Resiliency in Children . New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers. Portes, A. (1998). Social capital: Its origins and applications in modern sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 24 : 1-24. Werner, E., & Smith, R. S. (1992). Overcoming the odds: High risk children from birth to adulthood. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.