Community fragmentation

Definition

Community fragmentation refers to the disintegration of social cohesion and cultural unity within a community, often resulting from external pressures or policies. This term is especially relevant in understanding how institutional practices, such as boarding schools, disrupted the traditional structures, relationships, and shared identities among Native American tribes. The forced separation of children from their families and communities led to significant psychological and social consequences that furthered this fragmentation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Boarding schools were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the goal of assimilating Native American children into Euro-American culture.
2. The separation of children from their families at these schools often led to the breakdown of familial bonds and community connections.
3. Students at boarding schools frequently experienced harsh disciplinary practices that discouraged their native languages and cultural expressions.
4. Many Native American communities faced challenges in maintaining their cultural practices due to the loss of knowledge transmission when children were removed from their communities.
5. Community fragmentation created long-lasting effects that have continued to impact Native American social structures, identities, and relationships in contemporary society.

Review Questions

• How did boarding schools contribute to community fragmentation among Native American tribes?
  • Boarding schools contributed significantly to community fragmentation by forcibly removing Native American children from their families and cultures. This separation disrupted traditional family structures and prevented the transmission of cultural knowledge and practices from one generation to another. The environment in these schools often discouraged native languages and customs, further isolating children from their communities and weakening social ties.
• In what ways did community fragmentation impact the identity of Native American individuals who attended boarding schools?
  • Community fragmentation impacted the identity of Native American individuals by creating a disconnect between them and their cultural roots. Many students struggled with feelings of alienation as they were taught to reject their heritage in favor of assimilation into Euro-American culture. This internal conflict often led to difficulties in forming a cohesive identity later in life, as they grappled with both the desire to connect with their Indigenous background and the pressure to conform to mainstream society.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of community fragmentation on modern Native American communities stemming from historical boarding school policies.
  • The long-term effects of community fragmentation due to historical boarding school policies are evident in modern Native American communities through ongoing issues such as loss of cultural practices, weakened social bonds, and challenges in identity formation. Many individuals continue to experience intergenerational trauma as a result of these policies, which has disrupted familial connections and hindered community cohesion. Efforts to revitalize cultural practices are often complicated by this legacy of fragmentation, making it essential for communities to engage in healing processes that acknowledge both historical injustices and contemporary realities.

Related terms

Assimilation: The process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms of a dominant group, often leading to the loss of their original cultural identity.

Cultural Genocide: Deliberate actions aimed at eradicating the cultural heritage and identity of a group, which can include suppression of language, traditions, and communal ties.

Intergenerational Trauma: Psychological effects experienced by subsequent generations as a result of traumatic experiences suffered by their ancestors, impacting their sense of identity and community cohesion.