Social Capital Change: Investigating Old and New Generations of Rural Communities. Case Study: Ghasran Rural District, Shemiranat Region, Tehran

Abstract

ABSTRACTSocial capital (SC) plays a crucial role in social and personal interactions of each society. Today, reduction of social ties and community participation within rural communities is attributed to technological advancements, higher education levels, and the rising expectations of young individuals. With limited research on the theme of social capital taking into account generational differences, this study challenges the concept and examines the extent of social capital variables such as local community participation, social support, trust, and reciprocity within young and old individuals in the Ghasran rural district of Iran. For this purpose, 319 individuals completed the questionnaire. To answer the research question and test the hypothesis, the Kruskal–Wallis test was employed comparing the means for the variables of age and education. Findings indicate that these communities have witnessed the decline of bonding social capital within young individuals; consequently, they are at risk of losing their family ties and relations, reciprocity, and trust in addition to experiencing the decline of a wide range of rural networks. Further research is required to investigate the extent of practical measures of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the government if the quality of life and long-term maintenance of social capital are considered as priority.