Across myriad spheres, Putnam identifies a recurring pattern of social and civil disengagement. Social and civil engagement increased quite rapidly after World War II, plateaued in the early 1960s, and then saw a sharp decline in the last third of the century, particularly in the mid-1980s. The types of activities have changed as well, with Americans less likely to engage in collective projects. Individualism has transformed into atomism and isolation. The decline in social and civic engagement has impacted every demographic group in American society, however, the decline has been the least severe for the long civic generation, or those born before the post-World War II baby boom.

Political participation has dramatically decreased, with voting down 25% since the 1950s. All forms of political participation, such as running for office, declined significantly from 1973 to 1994. Membership in voluntary organization increased steadily in the first two-thirds of the 20th century, then declined. In the mid-1970s, two-thirds of Americans attended club meetings while two-thirds never attended club meetings by the end of the 1990s. From 1973 to 1994, there was a 50% decrease in the number of people assuming leadership roles in organizations. Religion flourished in the first two-thirds of the 20th century while attendance and participation in religious institutions declined 25% from the mid-1970s to mid-1990s.