Before I get to Bowling Alone, let me share a letter, which a Quakertown woman sent me in disagreement. I am a mom who also works full time. I am a Brownie leader, a room parent and the president-elect of the Millersville University Alumni Association. I was also a cheerleading coach last year. All of the parents that I work with are dedicated to helping their children and are very involved.
Some groups are actually difficult to volunteer for.
When we tried to start a new Brownie troop, we practically had to beg. Our Troop now has 15 girls in it. Putnam says that every kind of political, cultural or recreational activity that involves direct human contact, like churchgoing, card playing, dinner parties, or even eating dinner together as a family has declined. Activities involving minimal social interaction, such as watching TV, going to movies and playing video games and slot machines. It is the single most consistent predictor.