The ‘Community’ Center and the Social Construction of Citizenship

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variety of meanings that citizenship took on when associated with active citizen participation at a community center. Using a social constructionist framework, I aimed to understand how active participation shaped research participants' perceptions about citizenship. In particular, what did citizenship really mean to citizens who were involved in the process of community development? What role, if any, did the community center play in cultivating their sense of citizenship? Were specific forms of citizenship fostered? Three over-lapping themes were identified from the data: participation, responsibility, and community. Each is discussed in relation to citizenship and social capital theory. Based on the findings, I argue the community center served as a salient venue for citizen development because of its focus on process instead of product.

Keywords:

• citizenship
• community development
• community center
• community
• social capital
• social constructivism
• qualitative research

The author would like to acknowledge the valuable feedback he received from the anonymous reviewers, and the insightful editorial comments of Diana C. Parry.