Stages of life: Values, communication, and civic engagement

Leo W. Jeffres, Cleveland State University
Guowei Jian, Cleveland State University
Edward M. Horowitz, Cleveland State University
Cheryl C. Bracken, Cleveland State University

Abstract

Studies of communication and civic engagement note the importance of people’s involvement in their communities through organizations and group interaction. The social capital literature generally says that people develop trust in others through their involvement in organizations and this is important for civic life in America at a time when voting and other forms of civic action have declined. Media use is integrated into this scenario through its impact on community attachment and news about organizations. The past couple