Defining the nature of participation in rural Australian communities: A qualitative approach

✍ Scribed by Sheridan J. Coakes; Brian J. Bishop

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 90 KB
• Volume: 30
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0090-4392
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.10028

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Within the literature, theories and analyses of social involvement or participation have focussed primarily on the political and formal role of participation within the community or neighborhood. This study illustrates, through qualitative inquiry, that within small rural communities, individuals find it difficult to separate formal and informal participation, when both have an equally important role to play in community life. Fifty‐five structured interviews were conducted with women across six rural shires in the southwest region of Western Australia. Qualitative analysis revealed that approximately 50% of women, when asked about their involvement in their community, referred initially to their informal participation within the community, rather than their participation in formal community groups or associations. These results are discussed in relation to life in small rural towns. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.