I've been a woman all my life, but I've never heard of the Federation of Women's Clubs. It's probably going too far to argue that the decline of the Boy Scouts is directly related to its barring of gay and nonbelieving lads. Or take those bowling leagues. Putnam treats these as if they arose merely from the appetite of individuals for fellowship and tenpins. It would be amazing if league bowling survived the passing of the way of life that brought it into being, nor am I so sure we need mourn it.
People still bowl, after all.
In fact they bowl more than ever, although they consume less beer and pizza, which is why league decline bothers the owners of bowling alleys. And despite Putnam's title, they don't bowl alone. They bowl with friends, on dates, with their kids, with other families. No, the whole theory is seriously out of touch with the complexities of contemporary life. Putnam dismisses the twelve-step movement much too quickly.