Nicole Banales '18, Sociology

Expanding Time, Expanding Community: The Factors Affecting the Search for Reciprocity in Timebanking Communities

Founded by Swarthmore College alum, Edgar Cahn ‘56, timebanks and the timebanking system aim to build community and reciprocity through a time-based currency system. As former intern for Timebanks USA, I am interested in a timebank’s role in the communities that the timebank aims to serve. For my senior thesis, I worked with four local timebanks at various stages of development to determine the various factors that contribute to timebanking’s strengths and limitations. From this research I hope to offer suggestions for timebanks and Timebanks USA to consider in their work toward building a community of reciprocity.