The Twin Oaks Intentional Community is best described as a throwback to the hippie communes of the 1960s. In fact, the commune was started in 1967 by a group of psychology students who were studying Walden Two, a book by B.F. Skinner about a fictional behaviorist community.
Walden Two is the story of an alternative living community where simple living and minimal consumption are the order of the day. Skinner’s fictional commune is a world where interpersonal connections, soul-satisfying work, and deep personal happiness are encouraged. Twin Oaks has maintained those same values over its 43-year history.
What is a Commune?
A commune, sometimes referred to as intentional community, alternative living, co housing, etc., is a relatively small group of people living together, sharing possessions, work, income, and resources in order to promote the greater good of the overall society.
In many communal living situations, unconventional and alternative lifestyles (lesbian, gay, bisexual, polyamorous heterosexual relationships, etc.) are as readily supported as conventional lifestyles (heterosexual individuals).
Twin Oaks qualifies as a commune because the community encompasses all of the aforementioned qualities in the two preceding paragraphs.
The Benefits of Residing at Twin Oaks
Besides being able to live in a stress-free, tolerant atmosphere, Twin Oaks residents are provided with all of the basic necessities including food, shelter, clothing, health care, child care, and education for children.
A large portion of the food consumed at Twin Oaks is home grown - anything from fresh vegetables to meat. Members of the community live in a true cohousing atmosphere, with dormitory style residences consisting of ten to twenty people.
Traditional health care as well as naturopathic heath care methods is available inside of the community, and child care is provided by primaries and parents are allowed to bring their children to work with them if they choose - there is a push away from traditional child care because parents want to spend more time with their children. Children can attend off-site public schools, or they can be homeschooled by their parents or other members in the community
How Do Twin Oaks Members Support Themselves?
Communers do not have to pay for anything they receive at Twin Oaks. Members are asked to work a 42 hour work week, and they are given a choice of which duties they would like to commit to. Twin Oaks maintains several profitable community run businesses where members may chose to work.
In addition to having all of their basic needs covered while living in the commune, members receive a small monthly stipend of $75 to do with as they please.
The community is not a religious or spiritual commune; people of all faiths are welcomed. In addition, you do not have to donate your assets in order to be accepted into the community (you should always be leery of this type of thing when searching for a communal living site) - work is the primary source of income for the commune. If you are interested in living at Twin Oaks, please check out their website to get more information. Good Luck!
Twin Oaks Intentional Community
YouTube Video Describing Twin Oaks Commune
Time Magazine Article Describing Twin Oaks
Rachelle Williams - Rachelle Williams has been writing on the web for 2 years. In addition to Suite101, Rachelle Williams is a contributing writer for Demand ...
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