Social capital and older people in farming communities

This study draws on data from interviews with older people aged 65 to 85 (n = 65) to assess the extent to which the concept of social capital can be used to inform our understanding of social networks in farming families. Findings indicate that key indicators of social capital such as trust, reciprocity and co-operation strongly influence and determine social relations. Interestingly, though contrary to much of the literature on social capital, a strong community spirit can exist where associational activities are extremely limited. Older people in this community have few opportunities for social interaction, yet this did not affect their perception of being part of a close knit community. Significantly this work challenges the assumption that older people are simply recipients of social capital and demonstrates that they are also important producers of social capital. The article contends that the relevance of this concept to older people in these rural communities has not been fully explored and is poorly understood.