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  • Social connections
  • Neighbourhood connections
    • Snapshot
    • Table: summary
    • Figure: location
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• Essays
• Glossary

What does this mean?

In Kids Stats neighbourhood connections refers to interlocking network of relationships in a neighbourhood between individuals and groups.

Why is it important to monitor?

Neighbourhood connections, like social connections, provide children, young people and their families with experiences of belonging and shared membership. These connections contribute to the well-being of children, young people and parents individually and the well-being of the family as a unit.

This sense of belonging influences levels of safety experienced by children, young people and their families, and can affect parents’ ability to fulfil their parenting role.

Strong connections between families and other social networks have been shown to be associated with lower levels of child abuse [1]. Further, in stable neighbourhoods people are more likely to provide mutual support [2].

A high degree of neighbourhood connection, shared values, and common commitment reduces crime rates and creates a safer environment for children and young people [3].

Indicator

Currently, there is no routine measure of neighbourhood connections collected in NSW. The indicator used in Kids’ Stats to monitor neighbourhood connections is obtained from the NSW Population Health Survey 2003-2004. The indicator is:

The number of parents or carers of children aged 0 to 12 years reporting they feel connected to their neighbourhood as a proportion of NSW Population Health Survey respondents.

The NSW Population Health Survey 2003-2004 asked four questions regarding social reciprocity and neighbourhood connections. All are reported in this indicator.

Main findings

• Overall, in 2005 the majority of parents or carers felt connected to their neighbourhood
• Parents or carers living in rural areas indicated greater neighbourhood connections than those living in urban areas

Notes
[1] Vinson, T., Baldry E., & Hargreaves, J. (1996). Neighbourhoods, networks and child abuse, British Journal of Social Work, 26, 523-543.[2] Vimpani, G. (2001). The role of social cohesiveness in promoting optimum child development. Youth Suicide Prevention Bulletin No. 5, 5(20-24).
[2] Vimpani, G. (2001). The role of social cohesiveness in promoting optimum child development. Youth Suicide Prevention Bulletin No. 5, 5(20-24).
[3] Sampson, R. (2001). “How do communities undergird or undermine human development? Relevant contexts and social mechanisms”, in Does It Take A Village? Community Effects on Children, Adolescents and Families. Eds A. Booth and A. Crouter. Lawrence Erlbaum, New Jersey.

For details of the references and to find out more about the data follow the link to glossary and further information.