Why Are Communities Important?
Communities are important because they allow people to interact with each other, share experiences, develop valued relationships and work toward a common goal. Without communities, people would have to live isolated lives with minimal or no contact outside of their immediate circle. Getting to know new people is essential to the enrichment of a person’s life.
According to Peter Block, who is a consultant in community building and the author of “Community: The Structure of Belonging,” functional communities help maintain a good and progressive society. People do not have to handle their issues on their own because they have other people who can offer help. Moreover, communities have a fundamental impact on the development of children. They provide the environment that helps a child’s brain develop.
A person’s skills and resources are directly related to his participation in various aspects of a community, such as education, employment and recreation. A positive community hones the skills of a person and helps him achieve his goals. People feel connected to one another in a community, and they are interdependent on each other for many reasons. Members of a community also feel motivated in achieving a desired outcome. They feel a sense of worth in performing certain activities with other members. They share resources and interests. A community allows peace and order to exist by enforcing formal and/or informal rules, laws, ethics and customs.
