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(Net)Working out: social capital in a private health club.
- Source :
- British Journal of Sociology; Sep2008, Vol. 59 Issue 3, p475-500, 26p, 3 Diagrams, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2008
-
Abstract
- In Bowling Alone Robert Putnam considers the possibility that the growth of private health clubs and the rising rates of membership to such clubs might represent a counter-trend to his thesis on the decline in social capital. In this paper I explore this idea using ethnographic data and social network analysis. I show both that and how networks form in health clubs and I discuss the ways in which these networks constitute social capital for their members. In addition, however, I explore the ‘dark side’ of this form of social capital. I argue that high integration amongst some members of a fitness class can generate a power differential between those members and other, less integrated members who experience this negatively. Furthermore, with an eye on Burt's (2005 ) important thesis on brokerage and closure, I argue that brokerage between relatively closed clusters of agents can lead to inter-group rivalry and conflict, which, in turn, is experienced negatively by those involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00071315
- Volume :
- 59
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- British Journal of Sociology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33985331
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4446.2008.00204.x