Social
Capital
Social capital, a term coined by sociologist James Coleman of the University of Chicago, refers to the quality and depth of relationships between people in a family or in a community. Coleman (1988) notes, "The social capital of the family is the relation between children and parents (and, when families include other members, relationships with them as well)" (p. 384). He adds that the social capital of the community "resides in the functional community, the actual social relationships that exist among parents, in the closure exhibited by the structure of relations, and in the parent's relations with the institutions of the community" (p. 387).
Social capital emphasizes the ability of the family to work toward the child's well-being and the ability of the community to work toward the common good. A strong sense of community, common values, shared trust, and a willingness to intervene in the problem behavior of youth are essential in creating a positive atmosphere for children to develop and achieve.
Wehlage (cited in Lockwood, 1996) notes that the social capital in neighborhoods, communities, and schools is essential in developing successful school-community collaboration. He states: "Social capital adheres in the set of relationships among people--and those relationships are productive to the extent that they are based on a common set of expectations, a set of shared values, and a sense of trust among people (pp. 19-20).
For further information, refer to Community Collaboration and Social Capital: An Interview with Gary G. Wehlage (Lockwood, 1996).
