How does a sense of community and social ties with acquaintances influence social change?
A strong sense of community can inspire hope and change when fighting for a specific cause. Because having a tight-knit community creates close relationships, many times people will feel more passionate about a topic because it directly influences them or friend. Many people will join a movement or work towards making a change if they feel like they can help a friend in need. It is important to have a close community so there are people there to support you during difficult times or when you need “backup”.
Acquaintances can also be important when trying to make a social change. This topic can be most associated with peer pressure and one’s self-image. If many people are standing up for a cause, others who may not have originally protested might feel pressured to do so because everyone they know is also fighting. They would not want to sacrifice their reputation because they are not fighting along side their friends or acquaintances. This idea also comes into play when people feel obligated to help fight for a cause because they have created ties to people who have already agreed to push for change.
