Reflective Account in Community Development - Coursework Example

REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT –IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Reflective Account- In Community Development Introduction On a personal account, community development is a core component of social work practice and knowledge. It is more of a collective action. The research conducted on issues affecting social development in the Corby community is informative. In an introductory part, community development relates to a collective action by members of a particular community in solving problems affecting them. It is also a collective participatory process for problem identification, planning, implementation, and monitoring of the interventions. Perhaps, the problems facing such community range from social, environmental, and economic categories, among others. Such categories are interrelated, making it possible to tackle problems by groups, and not individuals. The focus will be on a reflection of the social development in the Corby community based on Community Development theories (Mayo, Mendiwelso-Bendek & Packham 2013, pp. 77). Community development focuses on people who share ideas, cultural background, or geographic area. Thus, it is paramount to have a clue about the origin of the arguments. The Corby community comprises of the kingwoods estates and the Lincoln way. In addition, the success of a community intervention depends on community ownership and acceptance of a challenge. Hence, the process begins with problem identification through public inputs. In this regards, the principal method used to gather data in the research was by interviewing. An example is an interview of the Chelsea an MI client living in Lincoln and many other community members (Mayo, Mendiwelso-Bendek & Packham 2013, pp. 93). Community Development Theories A perspective on community development entirely in brings community members to work together or for a common purpose. The collected information within the Corby community enabled the making of accurate and reliable information. Learning from the research, identifiable community development theories that affect the development and the establishment of the community identified (Ledwith, Campling, Ledwith & British Association of Social Workers 2005, pp. 3). Social Connectedness Community connectedness is significant to the development of a community. In a general view, the term refers to how people in a given community come together and interacts. Therefore, lack of social connectedness may retard the development of a given community (Moulaert & Regional Studies Association 2010, pp. 61). On a personal view, social connectedness builds on social cohesiveness. It is by cohesiveness that community complex projects are completed. Cohesiveness inculcates a collective spirit that motivates community members to work for a common purpose. People who are connected communicate efficiently and understand each other well. Connections lead to a united community; a growing nation is a united nation (Phillips & Pittman 2009, pp. 29). Learning from the Corby’s case, determining the level of interactions and connectedness among people may occur through a study of identifying the goals of other people and duration of their relationships. Significantly, their level of intimacy, the frequency of their interactions and the closeness between the parties. Ultimately, the level of self-disclosure among the community members are also vital in identifying the level of interactions and connectedness among the community members (Mayo, Mendiwelso-Bendek & Packham 2013, pp. 101). Community development thrives within social circles. For a guaranteed growth in the community, there is a need for each member to establish a social circle with other community members, despite personal social circles. Therefore, for the development of a community, there is need to enhance the social cohesion among community members. Social cohesion remains a critical component in the provision of a ground for motivation and social capital of the people working together to a common goal, of developing the community (Morin 2011, pp. 33). Social Gradient In a broader perspective, the social gradient is an essential factor in the development of a community. Supporting the argument, a community with a very high social gradient, wealth, and poverty at the extremes, faces problematic challenges. First, such communities have a retarded growth, as the majorities are the poor one. Most of the resources in the community like the basic needs become limited among the poor. Therefore, such people strive to make ends meet for their daily survival, making it hard for them to take part in community development. Additionally, resources for the poor do not give room for the development of the community (Phillips & Pittman 2009, pp. 39). Second, security becomes an issue, having in mind, the poor in an effort to bridge the gap, poses a security threat. Cases of robbery and petty crimes and theft become conventional norms in such settings. Other than working on developmental programs, the society will strive to tackle security issues, losing focus on community development projects. Moreover, much of the resources in such environments are likely to go to the security docket. Therefore, agreeing with the findings, the social gradient is an essential factor in community development (Phillips & Pittman 2009, pp. 41). Ultimately, for a community to concentrate on community development, there is a need to narrow the gap. It is important to equilibrate both rich and poor. The sharing of available resources, no matter how limited, need a sober advocation. Such measure will build on the spirit of cohesiveness and in the end, promote social development (Phillips & Pittman 2009, pp. 45). Work and Occupations The research on the Corby community found out that most of the people was unemployed leading to a small social development. It is true that unemployed population lead to a retarded growth. Occupation being the prime means by which an individual earns a living, is essential for the development of the community. The unemployed have little purchasing power. They idle most of the time. Their effort is a wasted energy. For instance, a society with a high unemployment rate stagnates development. From the personal judgment, idle people most often have a big family by size. Many mouths to feed yet the breadwinners are jobless. Such an irony presents itself signifying less development in such community (Beeton 2006, pp. 27). A community that is in the progress towards developing has a higher currency ratio. The rate at which money flows is relatively high. People have high purchasing power and pride in participating in the developmental projects. Community development is a collective action by community members. Therefore, every member has to strive to do something constructive in income generation, to build the community (Fabiani & Buss 2008, pp. 36). Income Inequality The disparity that exists between the low-income earners and the high earners causes tensions in the society. In most occasions, in most economies, like in the Corby community, the middle-income earners are the minority. The majority is the low-income earners. Such a gap increases political pressure concentrating community efforts in politics rather than focusing on community development. The disparity makes people live apart and have no meeting grounds were developmental issues discussed. Therefore, community development based projects receive small turn up. It makes it difficult for community members to take part on developmental issues in the community (Kass & Concordia University, 2008, pp. 31). Environmental Racism The environmental racism or marginalization contributes to a low level of community development. Placing the minorities in environment hazard and degraded regions is something dehumanizing. Most of the poor live in pathetic environs. Most of their residential areas are an inch from the damp sites. Most live in an environment with a mix of pollution and decay regions. The environment in such places is prone to drug abuse and social upheavals, including prostitution and the likes (Midgley & Conley, 2010, pp. 108). On many occasions, the poor remain blamed for the dehumanizing conditions they live. That is, most people think it is to the liking of the poor people to live in such degrading environments. Some people argue that the people who live in such devastating conditions are the ones who dump the waste and at the same time practice the immoral practices. The truth; these people are citizens of any other among the wealthy. They deserve a better environment free from dumpsites. No one chose to live under pathetic environment. It may be due to the affordability of accommodation and perhaps, nearness to places of work (Phillips & Pittman 2009, pp. 88). Low living standards are what force such people opt for such areas. Furthermore, it is the role of the government to ensure that dumping sites are far away from the human residence. The government of the people has a responsibility to ensure that the community lives in harmony and under safety standards. When every member of the community lives in a healthy environment is when people will concentrate on the developmental issues (Fabiani & Buss 2008, pp. 63). Media Propaganda Media contributes a lot towards community development. The media shapes the way community members relate to each other. The picture of the community is a something paramount in instilling patriotism and hard work to its members. Often, information relating to community development activities channeled through the media. The mass media, specifically, plays a vital role in bringing people together and communicates effectively. The media that propagates intimidating and false information destroys the social web in the community. Therefore, concurring with the finding and an intervention, the media plays an essential role in bringing humanity together for a common purpose (Payne 2006, pp. 37). Conclusion Community development is a collective action by the community members in working together on community-based projects. The process requires support from as many community members as possible. Cohesiveness and mutual understanding in working together are important in bringing people together to work on the social development. Therefore, measures should be in place to identify and rectify sectors or issues that may divide community members. Unity is essential to the success of community projects, as, two is better than one (Midgley & Conley 2010, pp. 109). References Fabiani, D., & Buss, T. F. 2008. Reengineering community development for the 21st century. Armonk, N.Y: M.E. Sharpe. Mayo, M., Mendiwelso-Bendek, Z., & Packham, C. 2013. Community research for community development. Ledwith, M., Campling, J., Ledwith, M., & British Association of Social Workers. 2005. Community development: A critical approach. Bristol, UK: Policy Press. Beeton, S. (2006). Community development through tourism. Collingwood, VIC: Land Links. Phillips, R., & Pittman, R. H. 2009. An introduction to community development. London: Routledge. Midgley, J., & Conley, A. 2010. Social work and social development: Theories and skills for developmental social work. New York: Oxford University Press. Moulaert, F., & Regional Studies Association (Seaford, England). 2010. Can neighbourhoods save the city?: Community development and social innovation. London: Routledge. Kass, R., & Concordia University (Montréal, Québec). 2008. Theories of small group development. Montréal, Québec: Centre for Human Relations & Community Studies, Concordia University. Morin, P. J. 2011. Community ecology. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley. Community Development Society. 2005. Community development: Journal of the Community Development Society. Columbus, OH: Community Development Society. DeFilippis, J., & Saegert, S. 2008. The community development reader. New York: Routledge. Payne, P. R. 2006. Youth violence prevention through asset-based community development. New York: LFB Scholarly Pub. Read More