Throughout our lives, we will be members of a great many communities. From the neighborhoods we grow up in, to the schools or churches we attend, to the companies we work for, our lives are spent within many important social groups that extend beyond our family. We may even find ourselves navigating many different communities simultaneously. Communities and individuals have a unique relationship that is built on reciprocity which affects the health and well-being of both parties, which makes community building a necessity to achieving the best outcomes for everyone. Throughout this essay, I will highlight the reciprocal relationship between individuals and their communities and how this relationship affects well-being.

One of the most important benefits of community-building is access to a wider social network. Researchers have identified four ways in which social networks operate: (1) social support, (2) social influence, (3) social engagement and attachment, and (4) access to resources and material goods (Berkman & Glass, 194). Through the social networks of our families and communities, we gain access to resources that increase our ability to thrive. Sociologists refer to these shared resources as social capital. “Social capital is defined as those features of social structures – such as levels of interpersonal trust and norms of reciprocity and mutual aid – which act as resources for individuals and facilitates collective action” (Berkman & Kawachi, 235). According to Helliwell and Putnam, “Social capital is strongly linked to subjective well-being through many independent channels and in several different forms. Marriage and family, ties to friends and neighbors, workplace ties, civic engagement (both individual and collective), trustworthiness, and trust: all appear independently and robustly related to happiness and life satisfaction, both directly and through their impact on health” (1444). Overall, community building can provide us with many benefits like a support network, professional development, a sense of purpose, alleviating stress, driving inspiration and innovation, helping us make empowered decisions, improving our communication skills, and building greater resilience (Wooll, 2021).

In communities where social networks are strong and social capital is abundant, you are more likely to find a higher level of social cohesion. Social cohesion refers to the connectedness and solidarity among groups which features lower social conflict and the presence of strong social bonds among community members (Berkman & Kawachi, 235). These mutual benefits are how individuals and communities achieve reciprocity. As individuals enjoy the benefits of social support and connections and enjoy a feeling of safety and trust, they are then more likely to participate in prosocial behaviors that benefit others which benefits the greater community.

But how do we create thriving communities? Thankfully, there are many ways that you can get involved that have both individual and collective benefits. One idea would be to get involved with local organizations. Most communities offer many volunteer opportunities, like working at a local community garden or helping at a local animal or homeless shelter. The simplest way to get started is to get to know your neighbors (Flores, n.d.). If you are willing to try something new and meet new people, the opportunities for community-building are endless. Along the way, you will improve your well-being through increased social connections and networking while also benefitting others through prosocial behaviors and increased social cohesion. Everyone wins!

Work Cited

Berkman, L. F., & Kawachi, I. (Eds.). (2000). Social epidemiology. Oxford University Press, Incorporated.

Flores, Monica S. “10 Ways to Build Community.” Green America, (n.d.), https://www.greenamerica.org/green-living/10-ways-build-community

Helliwell, J. F., & Putnam, R. D. (2004). The Social Context of Well-Being. Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1435–1446. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4142146

Wooll, Maggie. “Community for the win — how collective solutions help individual problems.” BetterUp, 3 Nov. 2021, https://www.betterup.com/blog/importance-of-community#:~:text=for%20one%20another.-,Why%20are%20communities%20so%20important%3F,to%20enjoying%20a%20fulfilling%20life.