Chapter 3 - Family and community my family the most to me in my life. I don’t know what I’d do if “Family, anything happened to them…” 14 year-old girl (Perth) Why a focus on family and community is important The wellbeing of families and the strength of the communities in which they live play a fundamental role in determining the health and wellbeing of all children and young people. Families are generally the principal source of security, support and development for a child or young person. Research consistently shows that the relationships children and young people have with their families, particularly their parents, are among the most significant influences on their development and wellbeing. Children brought up in stimulating and nurturing family environments have better outcomes throughout life. A family’s social relationships and the social context in which a child or young person develops also have a strong influence on wellbeing. Families with strong social and support networks have increased access to information, material resources and people to assist them in their daily lives and in times of need. Living in isolation from family and support networks is associated with poorer health, development and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people. In the consultations, Aboriginal children and people most frequently nominated their family as the most important factor in their lives. believe that family will always be when no one else is.” 17 year-old Banyjima “I young person (Pilbara) family is the most important thing in my life.” 12 year-old girl (Great Southern) “My think family is really important to me, because they're the only ones that'll be “I there through thick and thin.” 17 year-old Noongar boy (Wheatbelt) is important because they are when you need help.” 11 year-old boy “Family (Perth) you don’t have a family you can’t live.” 8 year-old boy (Perth) “If When they spoke about how much their family meant to them, children and young people referred to not only their parents but also their siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents and other relatives. love my dad and mum and my cousins.” 13 year-old boy Southern) “I love having brothers and sisters to look after me.” 11 year-old boy (Kimberley) “I love my mum and cousins. Oh yeah, and I love my nan and grandad.” 10 year-old “I boy Southern)
Chapter 3 - Family and community “Family, my family the most to me in my life. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to them…” 14 year-old girl (Perth) Why a focus on family and community is important The wellbeing of families and the strength of the communities in which they live play a fundamental role in determining the health and wellbeing of all children and young people. Families are generally the principal source of security, support and development for a child or young person. Research consistently shows that the relationships children and young people have with their families, particularly their parents, are among the most significant influences on their development and wellbeing. Children brought up in stimulating and nurturing family environments have better outcomes throughout life. A family’s social relationships and the social context in which a child or young person develops also have a strong influence on wellbeing. Families with strong social and support networks have increased access to information, material resources and people to assist them in their daily lives and in times of need. Living in isolation from family and support networks is associated with poorer health, development and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people. In the consultations, Aboriginal children and people most frequently nominated their family as the most important factor in their lives. “I believe that family will always be when no one else is.” 17 year-old Banyjima young person (Pilbara) “My family is the most important thing in my life.” 12 year-old girl (Great Southern) “I think family is really important to me, because they're the only ones that'll be there through thick and thin.” 17 year-old Noongar boy (Wheatbelt) “Family is important because they are when you need help.” 11 year-old boy (Perth) “If you don’t have a family you can’t live.” 8 year-old boy (Perth) When they spoke about how much their family meant to them, children and young people referred to not only their parents but also their siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents and other relatives. “I love my dad and mum and my cousins.” 13 year-old boy Southern) “I love having brothers and sisters to look after me.” 11 year-old boy (Kimberley) “I love my mum and cousins. Oh yeah, and I love my nan and grandad.” 10 year-old boy Southern)
report-atsi-listen-to-us-august.docx