Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Social Service Research, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
This study investigates the transformation of social capital within the Irula tribal community in Tamil Nadu, India, focusing on how traditional practices and communal bonds adapt in the face of modernization, urban migration, and generational shifts. Adopting a qualitative phenomenological approach, ten Irula elders were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in the local language and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Themes were derived inductively to ensure cultural and contextual sensitivities. Seven key themes emerged: trust and reciprocity, community engagement, inter-generational knowledge transmission, the impact of technology, resilience of social capital, redefinition of community, and cultural identity. The findings reveal that collective resilience persists during crises while everyday mutual aid and cultural exchange weaken. Social capital is not disappearing but reconfiguring—activated selectively based on needs and generational experience. This study extends classical social and cultural capital theories by situating them in an indigenous context. From this perspective, the significance of these studies for future research, applications, and services should be carefully evaluated. Practical implications emphasize the need for culturally embedded policies, intergenerational programmes, and digital tools to support continuity. This research affirms that tradition and change coexist, reflecting the adaptive nature of indigenous social structures in contemporary society. Future research could explore how digital platforms and participatory methods can be leveraged to enhance cultural transmission and strengthen intergenerational ties.