Community and Family Studies

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Core 2: Groups in context

Identifying groups with specific needs

Individuals often have shared feelings, issues and experiences that originate from social, cultural, and geographical factors within Australian society. These common elements identify people as belonging to specific groups, such as rural families and the homeless.

Identifying groups is a useful tool for researchers in assisting governments and welfare agencies in monitoring existing problems and social trends. Strategies to overcome inequities and powerlessness can then be developed.

These groups are not mutually exclusive. Some people may belong to one or more group at any one given time. This results in an increased level of need or disadvantage. For example, youth may also be homeless; sole parents may also be classified as families in crisis and as socio-economically disadvantaged.

Special characteristics of groups