Marchant, Jillian (2014) "Just ask me": mechanisms for being together in fragile communities. In: Proceedings of the European Conference on the Social Sciences. pp. 65-73. From: ECSS 2014: European Conference on the Social Sciences, 3-6 July 2014, Brighton, UK.

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Abstract

Communities located in sparsely populated rural areas traditionally rely on prolific social involvement among members to inform decisions and initiate action. A challenge in some communities is that social interactions form strong social bonds between inhabitants that limit the full social participation of other individuals. Where there is a threat to community existence, previous research finds even greater restrictions in local social arrangements. This study informs on the social fabric of communities in rural areas of South Australia, at a time when many of these communities face social deterioration, disruption to local institutions and uncertain futures. Reports were gathered from small number of resident contributors allowing a consideration of the persistent consequences of social arrangements that are found in rural areas. A deep understanding of the social mechanisms in communities in rural areas allows an exploration of the difficulties that pervasively limit the generation of synergistic arrangements between local and distant populations. It also highlights the historical, existing and potential dependence placed on social interactions to perpetuate the survival of rural communities. Through the reports of local contributors, the barriers and enablers in social arrangements are identified and their opinions are offered about local and societal mechanisms anticipated to revitalise local development. From the contributions of inhabitants, conclusions are drawn to suggest enablers hoped to secure a prosperous social existence by cultivating being together in community.

Item ID:	37271
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
ISSN:	2188-1154
Keywords:	rural communities, rural development
Date Deposited:	18 May 2015 22:22
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION > 1301 Education Systems > 130101 Continuing and Community Education @ 50% 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1608 Sociology > 160804 Rural Sociology @ 40% 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1608 Sociology > 160809 Sociology of Education @ 10%
SEO Codes:	93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9301 Learner and Learning > 930102 Learner and Learning Processes @ 30% 93 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 9301 Learner and Learning > 930103 Learner Development @ 35% 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9402 Government and Politics > 940201 Civics and Citizenship @ 35%
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