#primarygroup

[gwanth1002]

Primary Group and Social Capital

This is a photo taken after the induction ceremony for new pledges into APO, a community service fraternity on campus. The fraternity is an example of a primary social group, as its members meet on a face-to-face basis. In fact, there are many scheduled mandatory and optional events for pledges and brothers to attend throughout the week. For brothers, there is a chapter meeting once a week, as well as required service hours and fellowship hours (time spent at activities with other brothers). For pledges (myself included), we have pledge meetings twice a week and have similar requirements of service and fellowship events. In addition to meeting regularly, the fraternity aims to allow its members to create close friendships amongst each other while participating in the shared goal of service. There is also accountability to the group because of membership requirements, as well as less standardized expectations of just being a good friend. 

In addition to being a primary social group, APO is an example of social capital. Social capital is defined as the intangible resources existing in social ties, trust, and cooperation. Being a part of a fraternity allows for many opportunities that one would not have without the group. There is collective knowledge of all the other members, who are eager to share their experiences and expertise with fellow brothers. There is also the alumni network, which allows for APO members to connect with individuals working in their field and get advice and assistance, because both individuals have the social tie of APO even if they did not meet before. Additionally, there are opportunities to work with people and organizations outside of APO through resources that APO has. Finally, the social support system that fraternities and sororities provide is also an example of social capital.

[gwanth1002]

Social Group and Primary Group

As the definition of a social group is a cluster of people beyond the domestic unit who are usually related on grounds other than kinship, I chose the first picture to depict that because it is a photo of the Women’s Swim and Dive team here at GW. This is a team or group of people put together based on the sport, not based on blood connection. Social groups to me are people you hang out with and have memories with and this team is just that. Transitioning into college in the first two weeks would have been much more difficult if it weren’t for this group and im sure other people can say the same. Social groups help situate people and allows people to express themselves over commonalities.

The second photo is of three girls on the team, helping demonstrate primary group. As they are a part of the team as a whole, they are also some of the people I am much more in contact with. On the left is Gillian, with whom I live in the same building with, so were are constantly seeing each other. The other two, Jackie and Abbey, are in the specific group I swim in, so throughout the year I see the two of them nearly 20 hours a week in the pool and weight room. In this photo, we are sitting in study hall working, this being another place we all come in contact with each other. The women’s team as a whole are all good friends, but not everyone knows every personal detail about everyone. But within that there are people that I have connected with much more than others.