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In America churches were historically the community center. Other counties have secularized in a way that replaced churches with something else: clubs, union ha

In America churches were historically the community center. Other counties have secularized in a way that replaced churches with something else: clubs, union halls, fraternal societies, etc. In America we have replaced them with the Internet.

granshaw 4y ago
What are some examples of the above in other countries? eg in Europe I don't think much of that has happened along with their secularization – if anything I think its more cafes (of which the American versions suck cause they're never open past 9pm) and nightclubs...
- pyuser583 4y ago
  I was thinking of the UK and its pubs, but that precedes secularization. It’s possible the other institutions I’m thinking of (labor halls, etc) preceded secularization.
rr888 4y ago
I wonder too if modern working couples makes a difference. Only a few decades ago the wife looked after the kids and fathers went to the bars, societies etc to hang out. During the day women met up in other venues.
syzarian 4y ago
In America there used to be union halls, fraternal societies, and clubs. The decline in these things in the U.S. occurred with desegregation. I don’t know enough of social history to say desegregation was the cause but it certainly was a contributing factor. For instance, municipal pools used to be a thing and they were shutdown as a result of desegregation in many cities. Whatever the causes we see an increase in social isolation, a decrease in desire for municipal investment in community activities, a decline in men in universities, and other ill effects.
- vidanay 4y ago
  I joined a fraternal organization about 12 years ago (AF&AM) and the social and physical deterioration was blatantly obvious from the inside as well as the outside.
- ghaff 4y ago
  Shifting gender roles probably played a part as well. I'm sure there are sitcom examples from the 50s/60s as well but look at even a show like The Flintstones. The guys are down at the lodge while the women look after the kids. Yes, it's just a cartoon, but that sort of working class lifestyle wasn't fabricated out of whole cloth. My very limited exposure to such places in recent times--for a time I played in a work softball league at a Knights of Columbus location--was that they were very past their prime.

granshaw 4y ago

What are some examples of the above in other countries? eg in Europe I don't think much of that has happened along with their secularization – if anything I think its more cafes (of which the American versions suck cause they're never open past 9pm) and nightclubs...

pyuser583 4y ago
I was thinking of the UK and its pubs, but that precedes secularization. It’s possible the other institutions I’m thinking of (labor halls, etc) preceded secularization.

rr888 4y ago

I wonder too if modern working couples makes a difference. Only a few decades ago the wife looked after the kids and fathers went to the bars, societies etc to hang out. During the day women met up in other venues.

syzarian 4y ago

In America there used to be union halls, fraternal societies, and clubs. The decline in these things in the U.S. occurred with desegregation. I don’t know enough of social history to say desegregation was the cause but it certainly was a contributing factor. For instance, municipal pools used to be a thing and they were shutdown as a result of desegregation in many cities. Whatever the causes we see an increase in social isolation, a decrease in desire for municipal investment in community activities, a decline in men in universities, and other ill effects.

vidanay 4y ago
I joined a fraternal organization about 12 years ago (AF&AM) and the social and physical deterioration was blatantly obvious from the inside as well as the outside.
ghaff 4y ago
Shifting gender roles probably played a part as well. I'm sure there are sitcom examples from the 50s/60s as well but look at even a show like The Flintstones. The guys are down at the lodge while the women look after the kids. Yes, it's just a cartoon, but that sort of working class lifestyle wasn't fabricated out of whole cloth. My very limited exposure to such places in recent times--for a time I played in a work softball league at a Knights of Columbus location--was that they were very past their prime.