What is a Community? Essay -- Sociology

A community is established when more than two people share the same values and through time this personal connection evolves into a fellowship governed by rituals, traditions, and a particular form of communication that when taken together makes a group of individuals whether living in a specific geographical area or connected by ideals so distinct that their distinguishing marks allow them to stand out from among the crowd. They do not just believe in something like an organization but they need each other to survive and thrive. A good example is the Old Order Amish Mennonite community wherein the community serves as source of identity, strength and provides the reason why they should sustain the community’s way of life. It is important to understand that in order for a community to exist at least three conditions must be met: a) place; b) interest; and c) communion (Smith, p.1). There must be a territory or place where people can congregate or can be seen (Smith, p.1). The location also helps identify the community and differentiate its members from other groups. The common interests shared by the members create a tight-knit community. Some examples of interests found in communities are religion, occupation, ethnic origin and even hobbies. Aside from location and interest one of the most important components is communion. There must be a connection between the members of a particular community. Without this communion, the coming together, a profound sharing of ideas, resources etc., there can be no community but a group of individuals banded together simply because of proximity such as those living in a gated community in an upscale neighborhood but the residents do not know each other. A more technical definiti... ...rd the Amish Mennonite community exemplifies the meaning of community. The community is established and continues to develop because it is a source of identity, strength, and sustainability – the reason why they must exist and perpetuate their way of life until the end of time. Works Cited Cnaan, Ram & Carl Milofsky. Handbook of Community Movements and Local Organizations. New York: Springer Science, 2008. Schwieder, Elmer & Thomas Morain. A Peculiar People: Iowa’s Old Order Amish. Iowa: University of Iowa Press, 1975. Smith, Mark. â€Å"Community.† Accessed 21 October 2010. Available from http://www.infed.org/community/community.htm Bellah ET AL., Robert. "Community, Commitment, and Individuality." Literacies: Reading, Writing, Interpretation. By Terence Brunk. Second ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2000. 74. Print.