Hampton and Wellman propose that technology tends to emancipate community from its

Question

spatial confines. What are the processes through which this occurs? What will it mean for the
future for the American family, and communities?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In modern society most families are spread across the whole nation, or world, reducing
considerably the opportunity to interact and maintain closeness. The problem and pattern is
the same for friends as for family. Maintaining ties with family and friends is a constant
challenge to families and family members. In agrarian culture, family members often lived in
close proximity, and visited each other in social events, such as family dinners, parties, church
and school activities, and sharing working parties. Young newlyweds often literally moved
into and shared the home of a parent, giving ample (and perhaps way too much) opportunity
for the generations to maintain closeness.
Hampton and Wellman examine the internet as one means of maintaining contact and
interaction with distant family and friends, and the ways that people use computer-mediated
communication. They found that the internet was less important and useful for
communication and maintaining contact with friends and family who lived relatively close by
(within some 25-40 miles), but was more used and useful for communicating with friends and
relatives who lived greater distances. The internet provides multiple forms for interacting -- email, sharing pictures, and information, documents, etc. Friends and family who are not
"plugged in to the net" often get less interchange. As such the net is becoming a important
mechanism for people to maintain contact and closeness.