Thinking back to more simpler times, pre-industrial for example, one cannot help but admire the nature of community as it existed at that time. Everyone in the community had their responsibilities to contribute in some way to the general wellbeing of the community. It was also the age of skilled artisans, each contributing and passing along their skills to the next generation. The blacksmith forged tools and utensils. The farmer provided grains, fruits and other foods. The hunters provided wild game for their tables and furs for clothing. The bakers provided the breads. The women did most of the cooking, cared for the children and the elderly and made the clothing. The mason helped design and build their stone houses and wooden storage sheds. The potter created ceramic ware of clay for everyday household use. On special occasions such as marriages, births and deaths, or the harvest, the community would gather together to celebrate. Each member, young or old, was respected and given the reverence that they rightfully earned. Through good times and bad times they stood together, helping one another and without expecting any kind of monetary reward in return.
The age of industrialization changed much of the sense of genuine community. With the onslaught of manufacturing, peoples’ work became compartmentalized and relegated increasingly to assembly lines. The true age of artisanship slowly faded away. Community members became more reliant on outside bodies, including governments, to provide for many of their daily needs. The young often left in search of better work and training opportunities elsewhere. The nuclear family emerged whereby a family group consisting of parents and their children (one or more), typically live in one home residence. Their parents and grandparents lived and were cared for separately, sometimes in institutional settings. Their contribution to the community and interaction became limited primarily to direct family activities involving schools, religious bodies and any needs for health and social services.
Government began to play a greater role in meeting one’s needs and that of the family. A much simpler way of living became much more complicated. In turn, the evolution culminated in the emergence referred to by some as the “Me Generation”. On occasion, as in the case of natural disasters, there are the rare examples of communities coming together to help one another under dire circumstances. However, media coverage tends to stress the losses to individuals and families rather than the general impact on the community at large. If one has home insurance or life insurance, than one’s losses are considered to be manageable. Communities on the other hand are almost entirely dependent on governments to come to their rescue, which is not always a certain and timely exercise.
I once read that the level of community volunteer participation was about ten percent of the total population, varying from region to region. However, numerous volunteers are involved in more than one cause, thus reducing the total level of actual volunteerism. With the current economic situation and the inability of governments to meet peoples’ essential needs, such as housing and food, more people have become reliant on non-profits for assistance. Indeed, local communities are being forced to meet the challenges facing many individuals and families. Whether or not a real sense of community will return as a result is a question left up in the air?
There is a real identity crisis facing all of us. Can we really come together as a true community? Have we become overly dependent on governments to resolve our issues? Have modern age issues become so complicated as to be insoluble? As in the past, perhaps people have to accept greater responsibility for the wellbeing of their communities. This may no longer be a matter of preference, but one of necessity. There are numerous ways in which individuals and families can become involved in their communities. The first step may be simply to become better aware of the needs and characteristics of one’s neighbours. The bureaucracies of government have demonstrated a failure to do so. Without a real sense of community, many issues have been left to fester over the years. Communities must become more self-reliant. Just maybe, we all should invest more in promoting some elements as those reflected in pre-industrial communities.
FROLITICKS 
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