What is a Community? Essay -- Sociology

A community is established when more than two tribe sh ar 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 mark allow them to stand out from among the crowd. They do non just believe in something like an organization but they need each other to exist 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 communitys way of life. It is important to understand that in order for a community to exist at least three conditions must(prenominal) be met a) place b) disport 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 localisation 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 mingled with 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 bind 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 m ust exist and perpetuate their way of life until the end of time. Works CitedCnaan, Ram & Carl Milofsky. Handbook of Community Movements and Local Organizations. New York Springer Science, 2008.Schwieder, Elmer & Thomas Morain. A erratic People Iowas Old Order Amish. Iowa University of Iowa Press, 1975.Smith, Mark. Community. Accessed 21 October 2010. Available from http//www.infed.org/community/community.htmBellah ET AL., Robert. Community, Commitment, and Individuality. Literacies Reading, Writing, Interpretation. By Terence Brunk. Second ed. New York W.W. Norton, 2000. 74. Print.