Chapter 10 Ecology of the Community

Prologue How did communities evolve?

Does the individual shape the community, or does the community shape the individual? How can we know what rules are fair to all, and who is qualified to decide?

Community Structure and functions –Group of people in same geographic area –Under common laws –Sense of fellowship, belonging and obligation to the group

Fig. 10-1, p. 402

Community Community has 5 functions –Production-distribution-consumption –Socialization –Social control –Social participation –Mutual support

The community’s influence on socialization Physical factors –Population –Noise –Arrangement and types of houses –Play settings

The community’s influence on socialization Economic factors Social and personal factors –The neighborhood setting –Patterns of community interaction Gemeinschaft: Mutually dependent and caring Gesellschaft: independent and contractual

Table 10-1, p. 413

The community as a learning environment Child community linkages established when citizens become involved in working toward mutually beneficial goals that focus on the positive growth and development of children

The community as a support system Chronosystem and Macrosystem influences on community services –Public agencies are financed by taxation and are administered within the legal framework of the local, state, or federal government –Private agencies are financed by donations and/or fees and are administered by a board of directors

The community as a support system Preventive, supportive, and rehabilitative services –Preventive services: Parks, recreation and education

The community as a support system –Supportive services: Family and child Referrals Economic assistance Counseling Family preservation Senior citizen services Child health and welfare Protective Child care

Table 10-2, p. 420

The community as a support system –Rehabilitative services: Corrections, mental health, and special needs Correction Mental health Special needs

Table 10-3, p. 423

Creating caring communities Economic assistance –Alleviating poverty –Addressing the needs of homeless families Health care –Preventing disease and increasing public access to health care

Creating caring communities Support for families –Financial assistance for families in need –Problems associated with self-care by children Special childcare services –Support for children with disabilities or children who are victims of maltreatment

Table 10-4, p. 434

Mesosystem influences Linking community services to families and schools-services should be comprehensive in that they link health, nutrition, social services, and education for children and their parents

Involvement and advocacy Types of advocacy groups – advocacy groups can form to solve and monitor specific problems, or they can be a source of ongoing support for children’s problems in general

Involvement and advocacy Advocating for child protection –Helping protect children –Treatment or intervention programs available for child maltreatment Support Prevention