Isolation In Western Society

Western society heavily values independence and self-reliance, missing out on the benefits that come from a sense of community. In our search for independence, we lose out on the important things that a strong sense community can offer. Over the last few decades, our society has forgotten the value of being a part of a group. Instead, we have created a society where isolation flourishes. As a group, we have the power to accomplish incredible feats, that no single person could ever do. As our focus turns inwards we miss out on the social, professional and personal successes we can create as part of a team. Feelings of isolation and loneliness in Western society have drastically increased over the last few decades, as our societies become more

From Stalin to Hitler, extreme cases of collectivism have led Nations to acts of Genocide and suppression. Collectivism has power, when people work together to reach a common goal, they can do more than any one person. People get lost in the group dynamics, making choices as part of the collective mindset and without recognition of their true effect. This group mindset can also lead to other lesser social transgressions like social loafing, groupthink and exclusionary actions. Other social issues such as cliques and lack of trust can further erode a community, leading to even greater issues. These issues can spill out to elements of everyday life, creating chaos in their wake. While quidditch has allowed me to experience what a positive community can be, there have been many instances in my life where being part of a “community” has left me feeling demoralized and isolated. This is especially true for prior sports teams who value the win over the shared experiences. Developing up any type of relationship is hard work, and it is no different within a community, where some of the biggest issues stem from interpersonal connections. These issues can be reduced with good communication, perspective and empathy. Despite the vast list of negatives that collectivism has, the beneficial parts of a positive community makes up for these issues and plays a