Communities
WEEK 3
Community:
is formed when groups of people with a common
interest, culture, or identity join together and create a
distinct entity that serves as a positive need in
society
(Weil, 1996)
communities as territorial organization of
people, goods, services, and
commitments
Rothman, Erlich and Tropman (1995)
In theory, community is a by-product of system of
support to survive. In practice, especially in social
work practice, it is a target of change because of its
set of boundaries and because of its organizational
capacity to effect change.
“space”
“people”
“interaction”
“shared identity”
“kapwa”
Types
Type
Geographical
Definition
Example
A community Neighborhood,
bounded by a city, town,
geographically village
defined
perimeter
Type
Identification
and
interest
Definition
Nongeographical
communities
bound
together by
common
interests and
commitments
Example
Political action
groups, child
welfare
advocacy
groups,
right to choose,
religious
groups
Type
Collective
relationships
of an
individual
Definition
The constellation
of
relationships that
gives
meaning and
identify to an
individual’s life
Example
Professional
colleagues,
personal
friends,
neighbors.
Type
Identification
through
membership
to a
sector
Definition
A community
bounded by
homogeneous
characteristics
to form a
sectoral group
Example
Persons with
disability, Person
living with HIV and
AIDS,
Women, peasants,
fisherfolks,
LGBT
Type
Virtual
community
Definition
A community of
people
sharing common
interests,
ideas, and feelings
over the
Internet.
Example
Type
Definition
Example
Development A community
Rural, Rurban,
-based
based on the
Urban
community classification of
development
characteristics
Dimensions of communities:
➢A place or geographic locale in which one’s needs for sustenance
are met
➢A pattern of social interactions
➢Symbolic identification that gives meaning to one’s identity
➢A location which is defined by the pace of its development.
➢A venue for meeting the bio-psycho-social-political-spiritual needs
of the people.
The definitions of community made by various
professional disciplines can be categorized into two:
1. locality-based community
2. relational community
Community as locality:
➢It is the traditional conception of community.
➢It includes a barangay, sitio, town, neighborhood, or a city.
➢Residency as the interpersonal ties among community
members.
➢Residence are based on geographic proximity.
Community as relationship:
➢It is defined by interpersonal relationship and a sense of
community.
➢It includes mutual help groups, clubs, religious
congregations, professional association, political parties,
unions or even internet discussion groups.
Functions……
Warren as cited in Netting, Kettner and McMurty (1993)
Production, distribution, and
consumption
➢These are the community activities designed to meet
people’s materials needs, including the most basic needs
such as food, water, clothing, shelter and the like.
➢There are patterns of economic activities in the
community to ensure production, distribution and
consumption so that each resident meets his or her basic
needs.
Socialization
➢The community serves as a venue for cultural activities
especially in transmitting the prevailing norms, traditions and
values.
➢The process of enculturation or socialization molds the
attitude and perceptions of the residents especially on how
they make sense and view the world.
Social Control
➢This function is the process of ensuring proper conduct and
compliance by the residents with norms and values by
establishing laws, rules and regulations.
➢Community activities for social control are enforced by
institutions representing various sectors such the government,
education, religion, and social welfare services.
Social Participation
➢This function provides an opportunity for people to express their
social needs and interest.
➢There is an adage that says No Man is an Island and that this is
true because human beings are by nature social beings.
➢There are institutions in the community like churches, civic
organizations or neighborhood groups where residents can freely join
and actively participate in their activities.
Mutual Support
➢It is the function that families, friends, neighbors, volunteers,
and professionals carry out in communities when they care for
sick, the unemployed, and the distressed.
➢In the Philippine communities, this function is expressed
through damayan, batarisan, kawanggawa, bayanihan,
saranay, tabang etc.
Pantoja and Perry (1998) presented in their article Community Development and Restoration: A
Perspective and Case Study
seven (7) functions of a community
Production, distribute, and
consumption
This function is performed by a series of institutions
related to human work that form the economic
system of a community.
Socialization
This function is to teach the members of the community the
accumulated knowledge (the science and technology, the
history of the group, the language to communicate, the
norms, rules and customs and even those sacred myths).
Social control
This function is to create rules, laws, accepted behavior, and
the punishments or rewards for violating or accepting these
standards and the institutions that would create, enforce, and
reward.
Social Placement
This function is to institute associations, groupings,
and ceremonies that would help each member of the
group to accept it and find a position in it, and to be
accepted and be given recognition by the group.
Mutual Support
This function is to develop an array of institutions and
relationships that would ensure that each member of the
group would be assisted and provided for in times and
circumstances of emergency or extreme need.
Defense
This function is to create a manner through which
the group and its members would be protected
against attack and dangers from within the group
and from outside the group.
Communication( mobility and
expression )
This function is to create a common language and
symbols (verbal, written, pictorial, and expression
through sound), to create methods of moving in
space, and methods of expression of ideas and
expressions of senses.
Warren’s Functions of
Community
1. Production, distribution, and
consumption
2. Socialization
3. Social Control
4. Social Participation
5. Mutual Support
Pantoja and Perry’s Functions of
a community
1. Production, distribution, and
consumption
2. Socialization
3. Social Control
4. Social Placement
5. Mutual Support
6. Defense
7. Communication
Source:
Menesis, A. (2020) Social Work Practice with Communities. Zambales: Good Nest
Community for Well-Fullness Good Nest Resource Center