To varying degrees, the relationships formed through complex traditional systems of law and kinship still exist across contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies. Thus, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identify as being culturally distinctive within the wider Australian population, they are also diverse within their own culture. As a result, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be part of numerous networks.
Social networks, support and contribution
A person's social network may include friends, family, neighbours or more widely dispersed contacts within a community. A support network consists of the people who they can turn to for help with small favours or routine household tasks, such as feeding pets while away, minding a child for brief periods of time or borrowing tools or equipment. These types of relationships provide an indication of the connectedness within communities.
The ability to get support in a time of crisis means that a person is able to obtain emotional, physical or financial help from someone else during a time of unexpected trouble (eg sudden sickness, death of a partner/spouse, loss of job, fire or flood). In 2008, 89% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over reported that they were able to get support in a time of crisis. This proportion has not changed significantly since 2002 (90%).
Being able to have a say on issues that are important may contribute to a person's sense of social and emotional wellbeing. In 2008, one-quarter (25%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over felt they were able to have their say within the community on important issues all or most of the time. A similar proportion (23%) felt they could have their say some of the time. However, just over half (52%) felt they could only have their say a little of the time or not at all.
Print Page
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES
To varying degrees, the relationships formed through complex traditional systems of law and kinship still exist across contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies. Thus, while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people identify as being culturally distinctive within the wider Australian population, they are also diverse within their own culture. As a result, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be part of numerous networks.
Social networks, support and contribution
A person's social network may include friends, family, neighbours or more widely dispersed contacts within a community. A support network consists of the people who they can turn to for help with small favours or routine household tasks, such as feeding pets while away, minding a child for brief periods of time or borrowing tools or equipment. These types of relationships provide an indication of the connectedness within communities.
The ability to get support in a time of crisis means that a person is able to obtain emotional, physical or financial help from someone else during a time of unexpected trouble (eg sudden sickness, death of a partner/spouse, loss of job, fire or flood). In 2008, 89% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over reported that they were able to get support in a time of crisis. This proportion has not changed significantly since 2002 (90%).
Being able to have a say on issues that are important may contribute to a person's sense of social and emotional wellbeing. In 2008, one-quarter (25%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over felt they were able to have their say within the community on important issues all or most of the time. A similar proportion (23%) felt they could have their say some of the time. However, just over half (52%) felt they could only have their say a little of the time or not at all.