30 Days of Sociology

For 30 days, we’re exploring key ideas, questions and real-world applications of sociology. Each day highlights a concept, issue or research area that helps us better understand society, and our place within it.

Whether you're a current student, prospective major or simply curious about how the world works, this series is for you.

—and what do you get out of it? Where do you even fit in? These aren’t just random “deep thoughts”—they’re questions sociologists study through something called social capital.

Think of social capital as the value of your connections. Not followers or likes, but real relationships—friends, teammates, coworkers, neighbors—people you can count on, and who can count on you. It’s about trust, support, and that feeling that you’re not navigating life alone.

Robert Putnam breaks it down in his book Bowling Alone. He explains that while physical capital is stuff (like money or tools) and human capital is your skills and abilities, social capital is all about your connections—your network, and the trust and shared expectations that come with it.

But here’s the catch: Putnam argues that we’re losing that connection. People are more isolated, less involved, and less trusting of each other than before. And that matters—because when social capital drops, it’s not just about loneliness. It affects everything from mental health to how much we trust society as a whole.

So this isn’t just theory—it’s about your life. Who’s in your corner? Who do you show up for? That’s social capital—and it shapes more of your world than you might think.