Integration and Fulfillment of Needs

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 102 views

The Picture of Sense of Community in Simalungun Batak Ethnic People in Pematang Raya City

Introduction

The concept of Sense of Community is a vital aspect of human life, where every member of a group feels connected and has a sense of belonging to each other. This feeling is essential in building strong social ties, fostering a sense of togetherness, and promoting mutual cooperation. In the context of the Simalungun Batak ethnic people living in the city of Pematang Raya, this study aims to describe the Sense of Community among this group. By understanding the importance of Sense of Community, we can appreciate the positive impact it has on social stability and welfare.

The Importance of Sense of Community

Sense of Community is a feeling in which every member of a group feels to have and means to each other, and has the confidence that their needs will be met through a commitment to be together (McMillan and Chavis). This concept is crucial in building strong social relationships, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting mutual cooperation. In a community with a high Sense of Community, members feel valued, have an important role in the group, and are committed to working together to achieve common goals.

Methodology

This study involved 250 people from the Simalungun Batak ethnic community living in the city of Pematang Raya. Researchers used a measuring instrument in the form of a Sense of Community scale, which was based on the four dimensions put forward by McMillan and Chavis:

Membership: This dimension refers to the feeling of belonging to a group and having a sense of identity with the community.
Influence: This dimension refers to the ability of individuals to influence each other in decision-making and to have a sense of shared responsibility towards the community.
Integration and Fulfillment of Needs: This dimension refers to the existence of mutually beneficial social support, where members help each other and meet the needs of one another.
Emotional Connection: This dimension refers to the strong emotional bonds built among community members, which create deep connections and a sense of mutual trust.

Results

The results of this study showed that the Sense of Community among the Simalungun Batak ethnic people in the city of Pematang Raya was in the high category. This was evident from several aspects:

Strong Social Ties

The Simalungun Batak community creates strong social ties through membership. Members feel valued and have an important role in the group, which strengthens a sense of togetherness and mutual ownership.

Influence and Shared Responsibility

The influence between members is also an important aspect in building a sense of community. Each individual has the ability to influence each other in decision-making, creating a greater sense of shared responsibility towards the community.

Mutually Beneficial Social Support

The integration and fulfillment of needs in the Simalungun community can be seen from the existence of mutually beneficial social support. For example, in traditional events and daily activities, members help each other and meet the needs of one another, such as in economic, emotional, and spiritual.

Emotional Connections

Emotional connections built among community members are also very strong. Stories and joint experiences create deep bonds, so that each member feels connected and has a high mutual trust.

Conclusion

Based on the explanation above, it can be concluded that a high Sense of Community in the Simalungun Batak community in the city of Pematang Raya has a positive impact on the social stability and welfare of community members. The existence of this strong community not only enriches social life but also encourages valuable cultural and tradition growth in people's lives.

Recommendations

By understanding the importance of Sense of Community, it is hoped that the community can continue to maintain and strengthen relations between members so that the values of togetherness and mutual cooperation are always maintained for mutual progress. This can be achieved through:

Promoting Community Events: Organizing community events and activities that foster a sense of belonging and togetherness.
Encouraging Mutual Support: Encouraging members to help each other and meet the needs of one another.
Fostering Emotional Connections: Creating opportunities for members to share stories and experiences, and to build strong emotional bonds.

By implementing these recommendations, the Simalungun Batak community can continue to thrive and maintain a strong Sense of Community, which is essential for social stability and welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sense of Community in Simalungun Batak Ethnic People in Pematang Raya City

Q: What is Sense of Community?

A: Sense of Community is a feeling in which every member of a group feels to have and means to each other, and has the confidence that their needs will be met through a commitment to be together (McMillan and Chavis).

Q: Why is Sense of Community important?

A: Sense of Community is important because it builds strong social ties, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes mutual cooperation. It also has a positive impact on social stability and welfare.

Q: What are the dimensions of Sense of Community?

A: The four dimensions of Sense of Community are:

Membership: This dimension refers to the feeling of belonging to a group and having a sense of identity with the community.
Influence: This dimension refers to the ability of individuals to influence each other in decision-making and to have a sense of shared responsibility towards the community.
Integration and Fulfillment of Needs: This dimension refers to the existence of mutually beneficial social support, where members help each other and meet the needs of one another.
Emotional Connection: This dimension refers to the strong emotional bonds built among community members, which create deep connections and a sense of mutual trust.

Q: What are the characteristics of a community with a high Sense of Community?

A: A community with a high Sense of Community is characterized by:

Strong social ties and a sense of belonging
Influence and shared responsibility among members
Mutually beneficial social support
Strong emotional bonds among members

Q: How can a community maintain and strengthen its Sense of Community?

A: A community can maintain and strengthen its Sense of Community by:

Promoting community events and activities that foster a sense of belonging and togetherness
Encouraging mutual support and help among members
Fostering emotional connections and deep bonds among members

Q: What are the benefits of a strong Sense of Community?

A: The benefits of a strong Sense of Community include:

Social stability and welfare
Encouragement of valuable cultural and tradition growth
Enrichment of social life
Promotion of mutual cooperation and togetherness

Q: Can a community with a low Sense of Community improve its sense of community?

A: Yes, a community with a low Sense of Community can improve its sense of community by:

Identifying and addressing the underlying causes of the low Sense of Community
Implementing strategies to promote community events and activities
Encouraging mutual support and help among members
Fostering emotional connections and deep bonds among members

Q: How can researchers measure Sense of Community?

A: Researchers can measure Sense of Community using a variety of methods, including:

Surveys and questionnaires
Interviews and focus groups
Observational studies
Statistical analysis of community data

Q: What are the implications of this study for community development and planning?

A: The findings of this study have implications for community development and planning, including:

The importance of promoting community events and activities that foster a sense of belonging and togetherness
The need to encourage mutual support and help among members
The importance of fostering emotional connections and deep bonds among members
The need to address the underlying causes of low Sense of Community and implement strategies to improve it.