MY TWO CENTS’ – The family as seedbed of social capital

Piong is my friend. He is a jeepney driver in this city, a father of five children with a spouse who runs a small sari-sari store to augment their meager income, which is estimated at about P10,000-P12,000 a month. They are considered poor by Philippine standards, as our government set as a poverty threshold for a family of five at P10,534 per month. To make ends meet, he sometimes takes vehicle repair jobs while he rents out his jeepney. One day, his jeepney met an accident when his driver fell asleep on the wheel, hitting a vehicle in front of the jeepney, and injuring one of his passengers. With no other recourse, the driver turned to Piong, who, as operator, exclusively foots the bill for the damages. This has therefore put him in rather hard times.
What made me wonder was that in spite of obvious difficulties, Piong’s family has remained close and self-reliant in the midst of what would have been a deep family crisis. I’ve seen other families with lesser crises fall apart, more so those with higher incomes, such as those with one family member working abroad. But what attracts me to Piong’s family is that they are always smiling and remain hopeful for better times ahead. What gives?
Talking to Piong and observing his family, it was clear to me that their faith binds their family together. They are active members of Catholic lay family organization and faithfully attend religious services as a family. Hard times may fall, but their family stays afloat, and together. Perhaps unlike other lower income heads of families, he exhibits a rare form of gentle leadership that allows them to trust in the family structure to help them all get through tough times.
Obviously the social capital in their immediate community and society is high. They have the networks within the family and parish, trust among each other and with this, the social cohesion that enables them to draw on strengths that otherwise would leave them helpless in the face of challenges. What they lack in financial resources to help them deal with situations, they have in their networks.
Social Capital is the interconnectedness, values, and other intangible behaviors that create social cohesion. It is the ability to work together in an atmosphere of trust, meeting agreements, and commonly set objectives. That creates productivity and a high quality of life. When social capital is high, government intervention to create happy families may not be necessary. State resources can be used elsewhere.
That said, society cannot develop simply as a bunch of individuals that are able to eat regularly. Dogs can eat properly and still not be human. We all have a responsibility. Its not enough that people enjoy the practice of their rights. Society is not an infinite source of resources for our happiness.
In Piong’s example, it is in the family that positive social capital is nurtured. The family is the cradle upon which society is built. Understanding social capital, social infrastructure, and attaining social justice requires that we are able to imagine ourselves beyond mere consumers of goods to satisfy our needs and wants. The ability of people to attain their unique potentials in society is the aim of social development. Social justice is served when institutions are established to enable people to attain their potential or social justice.
This is because people are not animals. They are not simply a population to be managed, increased, or reduced. They are not slaves that chase after the pork barrel and salt. They have hopes and dreams that transcend those of mere mammals. That’s why governance has to ensure the fair access to social justice. Government enables the development of society so that all people have the access needed to attain meaningful lives. Government therefore has to promote the regeneration of social and human capital so that people can harness the skills and networks to build self-reliant, sustainable and life giving communities.
With the kind of legislation being proposed, are we attaining social justice? A lot of recent legislation is meant and has the effect of eroding trust in our social infrastructure by offsetting in favor of the upholding individual rights as against the institution. What is needed is for legislation that strengthens and renews social capital and enables government to do so. Take the family for instance. We need laws and programs to strengthen parenting. If people don’t turn to their churches and traditions as reference for parenting, then where do they go? Or are we simply allowing individuals to have their cake at the expense of the group?