UNIT 1: CONCEPTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY AND PERSPECTIVES OF COMMUNITY

LESSON 1: DEFINITIONS OF COMMUNITY

SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE

Social views community as composed of people rating with nether and are sensitive tie each
other's emotions, interests, and subjective points of view

Social science it an umbrella term for the various fields of study which examine social relation
and human society. Basically, from a social science perspective, a community is described as a group of
people in a particular area interacting with one another social science has several disciplines including
Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology

Following are basic concepts from each discipline related to the ilea of community

Anthropology- This discipline examines the various aspects of humans, such as the biology behavior,
culture, and social interactions. It may also study how people adapt their ways of living to different
environments, such as determining ways to help a community solve health related concerns This can be
addressed by understanding the situation through interacting with the people in the community connecting
its history with its present conditions, and eventually solving the community's

Economics - This discipline studies the production, allocation, and consumption of goods and services. In
any community, one finds various forms of wealth distribution. the ultimate goal of economics is to
improve the lives of people, such that their needs are satisfied.

Political Science- It encompasses the various ways and means of allocating power, influence, and
decision making This includes types of governments and management systems, and how people in small
bands or informal groups make decisions when they do not have a recognized leader. All communities
have some form of political system. The members of a community should understand how its political
system works, how power and influence are distributed (though not always the same way), and what
changes occur

Psychology- This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior. This extends to
interactions between people and interpersonal relationships. It comprises a variety of different subfields
including abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and social psychology
in general is most often associated with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses

Sociology- It is the study of society, social order, social interactions, and culture. It introduces the
concepts of social capital and communitarianism. Social capital is defined as the networks of relationships
among people who live and work in a particular society for the effective functioning of the community.
The concept of communitarianism explains the connection between the individual and the community.
Every person has a special role in one's society, and it is part of human nature to relate with other people
in various conditions or situations.

The Philippines is composed of different indigenous groups. Among the indigenous communities in
Northern Mindanao for example, their leader is called datu which is a local term for village chief. The
datu holds the power in the community and relates with the community to address concerns and
implement plans and actions.

INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

The institutional perspective views the concept of community in three different dimensions. The
first dimension presents the community as an existing establishment or physical space where its members
go for a certain purpose. Examples of this are companies, hospitals, or educational institutions.

The second dimension views the institutional community as a social model. This is defined by
networks and institutions where community groups are formed in certain areas such as schools, churches,
or companies, and members gather to meet their needs. People join clubs and associations to hone their
skills, join religious organizations to deepen their faith, participate in media activities to improve their
communication skills, and meet with friends and family at restaurants to satisfy their hunger. Some of the
religious organizations based in the Philippines are the Catholic Church, the Agama Islam Society,
Couples for Christ, and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.

The youth also participate in various fellowship activities around the country. It is an avenue for
them to reflect, interact, and strengthen their faith.

The third dimension is that community is composed of the ways people act, interact with each
other, react, and expect each other to act and interact. Examples include institutions such as marriage or
friendship, roles such as mother or police officer, status or class, and other patterns of human behavior.
This dimension presents how people act in relation to each other. It includes their expectations,
assumptions, judgments, predictions, responses, and reactions. It perceives patterns of relationships,
sometimes identified as roles and status, and the formation of groups and institutions that derive from
those patterns. For example, a "father" is both a role and an institution. This explains that in a community.
its social organization is the sum total of all those interrelationships and patterns.

CIVIL SOCIETY PERSPECTIVE

The civil society perspective stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation, or an organization
in service to society. This perspective views society as a community of citizen linked by common
interests and collective activity Examples include people’s organizations, civic organizations, and soil
movements.

This is considered the affective model of community since a sense of belonging is achieved due
to the collaboration of shared interests and identities in serving humanity Groups of people come together
regardless of location, and organize plans to render support and assistance to society. Some examples of
civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Alagang
Kapatid Foundation, Ayala Foundation, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines, and Caritas Manila. The
human rights movement, on the other hand, is an example of a social movement

The International Committee of the Cross consistently accepts donations for distribution to
different areas in the Philippines that need relief goods. In the same light, the Ministries Action
International of the Philippines planned the Fish and Bread Feeding Program for marginalized members
of society.
 There are numerous communities of informal settlers in the urban areas, particularly Metro
Manila. There are groups that seek to help alleviate poverty and empower the urban poor to improve their
standard of living. One well-known example is the Gawad Community Foundation, which began a 10-
year journey to end poverty for five million families in 2014. The founder of this project empowers
community members to become self-reliant by building up its people towards unity and self-governance.
The residents of the Gawad Kalinga Community help each other build their homes. This exemplifies how
the members of a community can work together to build hope and foster a sense of fulfillment.

Another famous organization that focuses on community building is World Vision (Philippines).
It has been in the Philippines for 60 years to care for children and build sustainable communities. The
people are empowered to carry out their community development processes and sustain improved
livelihoods. From 2016 to 2019, the organization has reached more than 3.1 million children through their
various programs and advocacies (https://www.worldvision.org.ph/about-us/).

The government also has different programs to improve the lives of the poor. One of these
programs was presented by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) with approval
from the Office of the President: the Ambisyon Natin 2040 (A Long Term Vision of the Philippines). A
prominent thrust of this vision is the emphasis that economic growth must be relevant, inclusive, and
sustainable leading to a prosperous, predominantly middle-class Filipino society where no one is poor.
This program also introduced an aggressive intervention to increase opportunities for the poor to
participate in the growth process.

The aforementioned community organizations and government program are examples of the
support given to communities to improve the lives of people, and will gradually serve as a way of life for
these underprivileged families. As members of the community, they also learn to help one another and
value the help extended to them, and will be able to translate this to other communities.

LOCAL AND GRASSROOTS PERSPECTIVE

This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members of different communities may involve

themselves in various programs or activities. The community uses self-organization and encourages the
local citizens to contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and actions. Leaders and other
members identify the sources of concerns in a local setting and determine ways to address these problems.
Volunteers are mobilized in cooperation with government decision makers who will be accountable for
their actions. The community also formulates programs for others, and employs actions according to the
needs of the community.

Doctors and dentists in different communities come together to organize medical and dental
missions, especially for families affected by calamities. When Typhoon Haiyan hit the country in 2013,
children and the elderly became weak and sick, and a medical mission was launched to improve their
health condition.

The youth, who are full of spirit and energy, are often excited to engage in outdoor activities.
Immersing themselves in farming and fishing and taking part in the planting of trees and crops will serve
as meaningful experiences for them.
LESSON 2: ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF A COMMUNITY

ASPECTS OF A COMMUNITY

Awareness of the essential aspects of the community is necessary in aiding the residents to reflect
on ways to be positively involved in its improvement. The poet John Donne famously said, "No man is an
island," referring to humanity's interconnectedness and the belief that humans are and always will be
social beings.

Being aware of the structure of the community and exploring its aspects will help the student
understand the necessary measures that should be undertaken to serve as an active member of a
community. The table below presents the different aspects of a community:

Aspects Factors to Explore

Demographics  Population size (total number of persons living in the

community) Density (ratio of people to the space they inhabit)
 Heterogeneity (the extent to which community members have
diverse characteristics)
 Ethnic groups in the community. Names given to various parts of
the community
 Areas known for having their own characteristics (e.g., industrial
area. blue collar families)
 Isolation from or closeness to other community
 History of the area
 Changes and development in the area
Geography and  The community's physical environment
Environmental influences  The community's location and proximity to highways, bodies of
water, or mountains
 Existence of recreational areas
 Concerns regarding environment hazards such as pollution,
power shortages, among others
Beliefs and Attitudes  Cultural values, traditions, and beliefs of various segments of the
population
 Spiritual and political values of the residents
 Available social agencies and the help they can extend
 Perceptions of residents as part of the community
Local Politics  Structure of government
 Decision-making power and control
 Major issues currently in debate

Local economy and  Business, factories, and other sources of employment that
businesses characterize
 Nature of businesses (owned by local residents or government)
 Employment profile of residents
 Adequacy of public transportation
Income distribution  Public assistance benefits available to residents
 Median income level of residents
 Income levels and corresponding percentage of population
Housing  Housing conditions
 Population density
 Types of housing
 Ownership status of houses (rental, real estate, etc.)
Educational Facilities and  Education system
Program  Extent of community support
 Existence of public or private schools
 Adherence to intended curriculum of the Department of
Education
 Attention to special population (eg. children with special needs)
and to cultural differences
 Extent to which education brings out the best in the children
(participation in competitions, profile of graduates, training
students holistically)
 Adequate preparation for adults to enter the labor force
Health and Welfare  Adequate numbers of health professionals and specialists
Systems  Accessibility to area residents
 Social service programs
 Respect of service providers to the needs and values of minority
populations
 Availability of fire and police protection
 Safety of the environment
 The residents' view on public safety and justice system
Sources of information  Presence of TV and radio stations and newspapers which provide
and public opinion the people information and perspectives on current events
 Community organizations' capacity to update residents on
important information
 The capacity of the sources of information to enhance the
residents' skills to promote positive social change
 The presence of community leaders who speak for various
marginalized subgroups
Summary Assessment of  Overall assessment of community's functioning
Community Issues  Dealing with social problems (youth gangs, poverty, abuse)
 Gaps in social, health care, and other community and educational
services

DYNAMICS AND PROCESSES

Community Power

Community power is the capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and seek
ways to employ available resources to establish a stronger and successful community.

It is important to understand the nature of community power. The determinants in understanding

this include the members' knowledge of who has the authority to make decisions, who controls or
influences the flow of resources, who are excluded in the decision-making process, and how to build
community power from both within and outside of the community; and the ability to develop inclusive
and effective community programs.
 Some ways for a community to build power, as discussed by Kahl (2009), are presented in the
diagram below.

The diagram shows the

importance of knowledge,
relationship, programs, members, and leaders in achieving an effective community power.

Leadership

A leader is generally defined as the person who has the responsibility of controlling or taking
charge of a particular group. This important figure will guide the members to carry out the plans in
pursuit of the group's objectives. The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the coherence of plans
and better implementation of programs. In the Philippines, the government provides several levels of
leadership. from the president and vice-president, including other government officials at the national and
local levels.

Usually, leaders in a community are appointed based on qualifications, attitude, and most often,
the votes of the residents. This is a democratic way to select a leader. In some traditional cultures,
leadership is hereditary, or passed down from parent to child. There are also people who are appointed
leaders because of their intelligence, wealth, reputation, high status, decision-making skills, dictation
from laws and policies, and connections. Globally, choosing leaders is crucial because they may improve
or worsen nation's condition.

Improving leadership in a community involves various components. Based on the study by

Ricketts and Place (2009), these are some of the points that would be very essential to this nation's
community leaders:

1. Effective Communication

 An open line of communication is highly recommended for leaders and their constituents.
  There should be free access to important information concerning social issues and public matters.

2. Development of Social Capital Building

 Developing & resilient capital is among the most important contributors to successful community
leadership

3. Community Engagement

 It is important to encourage young leaders to participate free mounger generation of leaders so

that they are ready to take over when the time comes

4. Collaboration

 It is necessary to collaborate across and within communities.

 Leaders should learn to build "bridges" and cooperate across communities.

 Develop networks among community leaders within diverse fields.

These major components of being a better leader will help improve communities and also improve
the relationships of their residents.

Relationship

The success of a community will be more meaningful if its members have harmonious
relationships with each other. This is vital for members of both geographical and non-geographical
communities. In forming relationships, persons can give and receive support, encouragement, praise, and
information This can provide feelings of belongingness and connectedness that most people seek in one
way or another regardless of one's belief system, cultural background, or areas of interest.

Social Change

Social change refers to changes that occur in the social order of a society. These changes may be
related to nature, social institutions, social behavior, or social relations. Social change can be driven by
cultural, religious, scientific, or technological forces.

According to Wilterdink and Form (2020), in sociology, social change is defined as the
collaboration of mechanisms within the social structure characterized by changes in cultural symbols,
rules of behavior, social organizations, or value systems

In society today, leaders recognize the potential of people in terms of their skills. Thus, education
is expanded, and now includes skills training. This opens up opportunities for social change, allowing less
privileged individuals to receive certificates or diploma by attending government-owned institutions. and
vocational schools that can give them an edge in pursuing local or international employment.

The government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills
development in the Philippines is the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Some TESDA accredited schools provide free or low-cost courses that give opportunity to adults who
cannot afford a four-year course in college.

Moreover, there have also been changes in the roles of women today. Women empowerment has
significantly contributed to society. This has allowed women to express their ideas freely and partake in
different programs or processes in society including leadership. Many Filipino women are being honored
for changing the face of leadership in their local communities.

LESSON 3: TYPOLOGIES OF COMMUNITY

 Communities could not be altogether the same. They may serve similar purpose but the
structure, processes, dynamics and some other features are not the same. This manifests the
diverse nature of communities, and this diversity led to emergence of the different kinds or types
of communities. Before we discuss the typologies of communities, let us first look into a brief
literature of the diverse nature of communities.

DIVERSITY OF COMMUNITIES

What does diversity mean?

Diversity is a condition where a range of differences or variation exists.

There is diversity when persons A, B and C have different sexual orientations, where A is
a woman, B is man and C is a transgender. Would it be the same if we talk about the diversity of
communities? The answer is yes, because when we talk about the diversity of communities, we
are referring to the commitment to recognizing and appreciating the dissimilarity of
characteristics that make people and communities unique as well as creating and sustaining a
surrounding that promotes and celebrates individual and group accomplishment. Further, this
means that communities 1, 2 and 3 would not be comprised of a population displaying the same
characteristics, or geographical and topographical perspectives, otherwise, there would be
monotony and no distinction of progress and development.

Such diversity among communities is manifested according to the following indicators, namely:

1. Dimensions of race and ethnicity, which refers to the racial and ethnic origin of the population
the community is composed of, where the indigenous group of origin of the people is now
indicated as well, like Bago, or Itneg or Kanakanaey and the like.

2. Gender and or sexual orientation of the population, where male or female are no longer the
indicators but to include now the LBTQ+

3. Socioeconomic status of the population, which talks about the position of the people in the
community.

4. Religious and political and other ideologies of the people, which says that in the communities,
there could be no indication that there is a singular belief or ideology of the people.

5. Geographical and topographical features, referring to the physical characteristics of the

community which indicates if the community is agricultural or industrial, or if it has natural and
man-made beautiful spots and others.

6. Occurrences which come in the form of natural or manmade calamities, or any incident which
could cause social unrest or pose threat to the territorial security or integrity of the community.
The aforementioned indicators would in the long run determine the different types of
communities.
TYPES OF COMMUNITIES

Firstly, what is meant by typology?

Simply put, typology is the classification of anything according to a general type, as in this case,
it has reference to the classification of communities according to identified indicators. Below
then are the types of communities.

A. ACCORDING TO ORGANIZATION, COMPOSITION AND PURPOSE.

1. Formal community

From the term alone, we can infer that these are the communities which are organized on
purpose and geared towards a particular objective. This type of community is more legalist than
the other kinds. It is anchored on an instituted organizational structure, guided by an established
set of laws which could be punitive in nature. The interaction of the members and all other
activities are based from the guidelines set forth by the community itself, and relationships are
less personal. The members may not share the same community physical structure as they may
come from a number of places. Its dissolution may take place as prescribed in its laws. The most
common examples are schools, churches, hospitals, social and civic organizations and of course
the different governments.

2. Informal community

The informal community is composed of people who voluntarily join as the interest or need
calls for it. With respect to goals, the informal community is not duty-bound to accomplish a
concrete objective as none is set with its organization. There are no explicit guidelines or
standards to be followed by its members. Anyone can join and leave without any obligations to
the community. In terms of organizational structure, it is usually not instituted, however, should
there be a formal structure, and the community cannot be as legalist about it. Interaction and
relationships are on a more personal level. This type of community may not prove to be stable
because of the absence of a set of standards to regulate the activities of the members rather
whatever the members do or say are based on their emotions and as an expression of their
personal norms and beliefs, thus it is more likely to disintegrate even without the members
knowing it. Examples of this type of community could be the corporate community, pressure or
interest group community and the like.

3. Sectoral community
 From the term sectoral, we could cull out the word sector which refers to a particular
group within the community or the larger society. A classic example this type of community is
the very popular community of women, which could be organized with a membership to come
from all over the country. We have cited the LUVWI as an example of this in an earlier topic.
Another example of a sectoral community is that of the indigenous peoples, and a more concrete
example would be the Bago community. It could also come in the form of an all-professional
community. The members of the cited examples organized themselves into a community to work
for a common goal. The education, religious, military, business, youth, men and health sectors,
the media and any professional aggrupation are also examples of the sectoral community.

3. Global community

This is a community comprised of people from all over the world but seemingly close with
each other despite the distance. They are connected with each other through technology-based
means of communication. These people are economically, socially and politically
interdependent. They are not structurally together but through modern telecommunications they
are able to institutionalize a set of ethics which they are bound to follow to promote mutual
respect necessary for the global governance.

B. ACCORDING TO THE SETTING, STRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY PROCESSES.

1. Rural community

In the state of nature, rural communities are those located in the more remote areas which
have barely been adulterated with the effects of modernization The main socioeconomic
activities are centered on agriculture and the cultural orientation of the people remain indigenous.
Further, personal level of interaction and relationships among the people obtain. In terms of the
physical structure, there are relatively enough open spaces, high-rising and modern
infrastructures are a rarity, and the adverse effects of industrialization are hardly experienced.
Provisions are of abundance. Distractions are perceived as natural occurrence and whatever
human-initiated disturbance is perceived as a bad omen; thus, the community is on the look-out
for such incidents. Social control is in the relaxed mode as the people are bent on adhering to the
normative behavior standards. Socialization is at its best because it is in the rural communities
where the transmission of indigenous culture is very evident and basic education of the people is
sufficient.

They may not be as knowledgeable, but they are kept informed. Life is at its simplest in
the rural communities, where the standard of living may not be that high but the quality of life, is
most valued.

Furthermore, a rural community is one where people enjoy low cost of living because
practically, the basic necessities are within your reach. Though food may not be highly
processed, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish are at their best as they are freshly harvested or
butchered. Lastly, there is a relatively low population density because, as mentioned earlier, a
rural community is has all the space the people would be needing and houses or buildings are not
built so close to each other, and logically, the community members also live a house apart from
each other

2. Suburban community

Another type of community according to this classification is the suburban community

which is described as having a relatively bigger population when compared with rural, exposed
to the effects of modernization with particular reference to technology, culturally- adaptive and
adoptive to the current trends, economic activities of the people are somewhat influenced by
globalization, the geography and topography are gradually changing, interaction and
socialization is slowly shifting to a less personal level, economic development is by half,
anchored upon industrialization, social control is getting into the nerves of the leadership, more
prone to distractions and disturbances and the effects of modern technology is more evident.

In addition, according to www.tn.gov suburban communities are “lower density areas that
separate residential and commercial areas from one another. They are either part of an urban
community or exist as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city.”
Basing on this qualification, the situs of a suburban community is just outside a major city,
where the residents can readily enjoy the perks of living in a city because of the proximity of
their place to the city.

3. Urban Community

Of the three types under this classification, the urban community is the most dynamic.
Why so? This is prompted by the community’s total immersion with modernization. There is a
dramatic increase in the population which is now comprised of a more diverse nature of people,
and these people come from practically undetermined places. This results to high density of
population as houses and buildings may be built alongside each other, therefore, logically, there
shall be an elbow-to-elbow kind of movement- a highly crowded scenario. Criminality and other
destructive and disturbing activities could be at its high due to the large population where social
control may be marred by some glitch while being implemented. Socialization and interaction is
at its peak sans personal attachment. The cultural orientation of the people may become
adulterated or may be enhanced with the introduction of heterogenic culture. High standard of
living obtains but may not have a high valuation to life. Physical structure-wise, the community
is more prone to disasters owing to the higher level of community dynamics brought about by the
influx of modern technology and the unprecedented migration of people from many other places.
The construction of high-rising buildings may adversely affect the geography and topography of
the community, but these edifices are salient features of an urban community. Some other
problems may be encountered by the people in urban communities like pollution, limited space,
unemployment and others.
 In urban communities, there is much of mobility and transiency where, because the
people become remiss of the concept of permanency, community members are expected to leave,
and would probably be replaced by another. And, it is also worth mentioning, that life and
lifestyle in an urban community is regimented, where time becomes a challenge which the
people have to keep up with. Last, but not the least, segmentation of personality
(www.yourarticlelibrary.com) occurs in the urban community. What does this presuppose? Since
in an urban community, the prioritized group is the secondary group, social contacts matter to
suffice self-vested interests and selfish motives. That when one is no longer instrumental to the
satisfaction of a need, the person is no longer treated with significance.

C. ACCORDING TO PURPOSE (OF ORGANIZATION)

1. Community of Interest

“Community of people who share the same interest or passion.” However, of the five
types under this classification, the interest community could be the most difficult to organize due
to the possible mental competition of the members. This could be attributed to a possible
overflow of ideas in the databank of the prospective members that in the very offing, there could
already be clashing of the minds. On the lighter side, the interest community could prove to be
one of the best because the prospective members are all expected to be focused on the
community objective as it according to what interests them the most.

2. Community of Action

“Community of people trying to bring about change.” A very dynamic aggrupation. This
is the type of community which is geared towards employing a concerted endeavor to bring
about change not only in the community but which shall extend to the macrolevel of the society
and the world as well. One of the expected activities is the sharing among the community
members of the best practices to be used in achieving the goals.

3. Community of Place

“Community of people brought together by geographic boundaries.” This is the type of

community where the people who live near each other are, by instinct, bonded together to form
themselves into a socio-political and socioeconomic aggrupation. One thing notable about this
type of group is the high valuation for the other community members and strong support is
extended to each other whatever the adversities are. Lastly, it is under this type of community
where events, issues and problems on the local level are the primary concerns of the members.

4. Community of Practice.
 “Community of people in the same profession or undertake the same activities.” This
type of community is a classic example of a formal community like that of lawyers, medical
practitioners, teachers, criminologists, etc., where the organization and establishment follows all
the formalities; where the activities to be undertaken must follow a documented plan of action,
with all the formalities in every procedure particularly in the implementation of the community
initiatives; and where there must be strict compliance to the normative standard of behavior set
forth by the community in general.

5. Community of Circumstance

“Community of people brought together by external events or situations.” This type of

community takes the informal manner of aggrupation. Why? This is so because the community
members came together by the accidental similarity of circumstances or events or situations they
found themselves into. They had to be bonded together because of the shared need to find a
resolution to the challenge/s they are faced with. One characteristic that is worth noting about
this type of community is it allows a large-group discussion of related matters, sans mental
competition