Health Promotion: Communities,
Families and Individuals
Broad definition of community
A collection of people interacting with each other who share common
interests/characteristics, values, identities and norms and will have a sense of
unity/belonging
Geographic community
The definition is based on geographic location/boundaries that have identifiable
characteristics
It has an informal power structure
A geographic community is a community consisting of a collection of people located
in a specific place and is made up of institutions organised into a social system
Common-interest community
A collection of people not in the same vicinity but having the same interest or goal
People come together to share knowledge on a common interest
People participate to support each other
Such communities sometimes only function for short periods i.e. until the common
problem is solved
Socially bound communities
Normative systems
Define how people live in a given area, how they relate to each other and how they
fit into their social organisations
Social boundaries may not necessarily be geographical boundaries
Socially bound communities may be those with a specific interest such as culture,
language or craft
Families are often found within communities
Family Life in SA: Legal Framework
There is a Policy Framework on Families (2001) in SA
The GREEN PAPER ON FAMILIES (2011) is a policy framework for the livelihood of
families in South Africa
Other policies include the Child Care legislation and the DVA
Realities of Family Life in SA
A major contributor to family problems and breakdown in family functioning is the
increasing economic stress that family households are facing
Many families in SA are female-headed and these families are usually the worst affected
Family life has become increasingly diverse and complex
These days there are more interventions to disrupt family life
Families are becoming increasingly isolated
There are inadequate resources to deal with the complex problems of families
Investigations into child abuse and maltreatment reports are often hastily and
inadequately conducted
The HIV/AIDS epidemic leads to the disintegration of family life
The majority of South African families and children live in unhealthy, unsafe and
disadvantaged communities
Families and Individuals
Broad definition of community
A collection of people interacting with each other who share common
interests/characteristics, values, identities and norms and will have a sense of
unity/belonging
Geographic community
The definition is based on geographic location/boundaries that have identifiable
characteristics
It has an informal power structure
A geographic community is a community consisting of a collection of people located
in a specific place and is made up of institutions organised into a social system
Common-interest community
A collection of people not in the same vicinity but having the same interest or goal
People come together to share knowledge on a common interest
People participate to support each other
Such communities sometimes only function for short periods i.e. until the common
problem is solved
Socially bound communities
Normative systems
Define how people live in a given area, how they relate to each other and how they
fit into their social organisations
Social boundaries may not necessarily be geographical boundaries
Socially bound communities may be those with a specific interest such as culture,
language or craft
Families are often found within communities
Family Life in SA: Legal Framework
There is a Policy Framework on Families (2001) in SA
The GREEN PAPER ON FAMILIES (2011) is a policy framework for the livelihood of
families in South Africa
Other policies include the Child Care legislation and the DVA
Realities of Family Life in SA
A major contributor to family problems and breakdown in family functioning is the
increasing economic stress that family households are facing
Many families in SA are female-headed and these families are usually the worst affected
Family life has become increasingly diverse and complex
These days there are more interventions to disrupt family life
Families are becoming increasingly isolated
There are inadequate resources to deal with the complex problems of families
Investigations into child abuse and maltreatment reports are often hastily and
inadequately conducted
The HIV/AIDS epidemic leads to the disintegration of family life
The majority of South African families and children live in unhealthy, unsafe and
disadvantaged communities
