Why is there Importance of Community?
Community plays a crucial role in various aspects of human life, from enhancing personal well-being to supporting societal development and environmental conservation. Here are some key insights into the importance of community:
Combatting Isolation and Loneliness: In modern society, where technology and busy lifestyles can lead to isolation, community provides a sense of belonging and combats loneliness and depression. This connection helps prevent issues like increased violence, substance abuse, and mental illness (Fasold, 2002).
Academic and Workplace Benefits: A strong sense of community in educational and workplace settings enhances productivity, efficiency, and morale. It fosters a supportive environment that balances individual and institutional interests, leading to better educational outcomes and workplace satisfaction (Glew & Russell, 2013; Harris, 2006).
Development and Participation
Community Participation in Development: Involving communities in development projects can enhance project efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability. However, it requires careful planning to avoid potential pitfalls like delays and conflicts (Bamberger, 1991).
Environmental Conservation: Community participation is vital for eco-environmental conservation, as it encourages pro-environmental behaviors and enhances the effectiveness of conservation efforts (Zhang et al., 2020).
Sociobiological and Cultural Perspectives
Survival and Adaptation: From a sociobiological perspective, community characteristics such as altruism, solidarity, and responsibility have been crucial for the survival and adaptation of species, including humans. These traits promote prosocial behavior and cultural development (Czykwin, 2022).
Educational Context
Support for Distance Learners: For distance learners, especially in fields like mathematics and statistics, being part of a community supports academic resilience, retention, and attainment. Community with peers in the same module is particularly valued (Brown & Pawley, 2024).
Conclusion
Community is essential for fostering social connections, enhancing personal and collective well-being, and supporting sustainable development and conservation efforts. It plays a significant role in educational success and workplace satisfaction, while also being a critical factor in the survival and adaptation of societies.
Scientific Papers
Fasold, R. (2002). The importance of community. International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 2002, 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1515/IJSL.2002.044
Bamberger, M. (1991). The importance of community participation. Public Administration and Development, 11, 281-284. https://doi.org/10.1002/PAD.4230110317
Glew, R., & Russell, J. (2013). The Importance of Community in Academic Health Centers. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 25, 272 – 274. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401334.2013.797350
Czykwin, E. (2022). The importance of community for species survival. A sociobiological perspective. Studia z Teorii Wychowania. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0015.8492
Brown, C., & Pawley, S. (2024). How important is community to mathematics and statistics distance learners?. MSOR Connections. https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v23i1.1493
Zhang, Y., Xiao, X., Cao, R., Zheng, C., Guo, Y., Gong, W., & Wei, Z. (2020). How important is community participation to eco-environmental conservation in protected areas? From the perspective of predicting locals’ pro-environmental behaviours.. The Science of the total environment, 739, 139889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139889
Harris, B. (2006). The Importance of Creating a “Sense of Community”. Journal of College Student Retention, 8, 105 – 83. https://doi.org/10.2190/AMNM-2VKP-V6MH-D1GF
