Sorgsamen

Sorgsamen is a Dutch-language term used to describe a mode of social solidarity oriented toward shared concern and mutual support. The word combines zorg (care) and samen (together) and is employed to denote a practice in which communities, families, and organizations coordinate to sustain emotional and practical help among members.

The term originated in informal Dutch discourse and occasional academic writing in the 2010s as a way to capture a form of collective caregiving that emerges in times of stress, grief, or ongoing social pressures. It is not widely recognized as a formal concept in major dictionaries or policy documents.

Applications of sorgsamen appear in community organizing, social work, and educational settings. Initiatives may include peer support networks, coordinated care calendars, and collaborative problem solving. In workplaces, sorgsamen can describe practices that distribute mental load and foster mutual accountability for colleagues’ well-being.

Critics contend that emphasizing collective care can obscure structural issues or shift responsibility onto individuals. Advocates argue that it builds resilience, reduces isolation, and creates shared repertoires for coping with adversity.

See also mutual aid, care ethics, social support. Further reading generally covers the related concepts of collective caregiving and community resilience.