| This dissertation examines the creation and impacts of social capital through girl scouting. An original survey was designed and administered to Girls Scout members within Fairfax County, a population that had been identified as being racially and socio-economically diverse, in order to measure effects of social capital building. Six hypotheses were tested and four were confirmed. After confirming that social capital is built over time in Girl Scouts, the effects of social capital on five social outcomes were measured using factor and path analyses. Statistically significant findings were found for three outcomes, including member's disapproval of risky behaviors, member's self-esteem level, and survival skills learned in Girl Scouts. It was found that social capital increases members' disapproval of risky behaviors, improves members' self-esteem, and increases members' survival skills. Other outcomes measured were member's GPA and voting behavior, but no statistically significant results were found. Qualitative interviews with Girls Scout leaders were also obtained to interpret research findings. The policy that emerges from this research considers how building social capital in extra-curricular voluntary organizations affects respondents' social behavior and human capital. In the process of researching and writing the dissertation, the author reviewed literature surrounding social capital theories and organizational behavior of Girl Scouts. |
