A community is a group of individuals who share similar traits having an ideology. The features or factors of community are what make the community itself a highly influential one. A community provides several amenities for its individual members, which is important for the growth and development of the community. But what are these features? Let us learn about the features of community and other facts related to it in this article.
1. What is Community?
A community is a collection of individuals with a common bond. A community can be characterized by the traits that its members have in common or by the quality of the ties that bind them together. You need a group of individuals who share some traits and have a sense of community or interpersonal ties.
It is crucial to comprehend the shared characteristics of individuals in a group if you wish to be able to generalize about them. The quality of the ties inside the group is crucial for involving or mobilizing members. Communities can be big and dispersed or small and closely knit. The trick is to be clear about who you are looking for. (See Why is Family Considered the Most Important Agent of Socialization?)
2. What are the Factors of Community?
There are several factors of community that determine its development of it. Both the community itself and the process of community development may be impacted by these issues. They might even be directly causing the problems being addressed or contributing to them. These characteristics frequently have a significant impact on a community’s potential to succeed or fail in the process of community development.
The various factors of community are:
A. Human elements
There are several elements needed for communal development. The human elements refer to the physical activities of humans in the community to develop. These activities involve:
- Participation
- Interest
- Leadership
- Attitudes
- Errors
B. Social Factors
Due to its ability to affect other elements on a variety of levels, social factors can be one of the largest effects on community development. Some of the social factors are:
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Expectations
- Culture
- Religious beliefs
- Political Views
C. Environmental and Geographical Factors
These refer to the effect of the following elements:
- Legal Restrictions
- Political involvement
- Natural Disasters
- Impediments
D. Resources
Resources include:
- Costs and Budgeting
- Availability
- Sustainability
3. What are 12 Features of Community? What are the Features and Characteristics of a Community?
Communities are made up of people who have similar interests, roles, passions, concerns, or difficulties. The most crucial features of community are:
- Group of people: A group of people is the most essential or fundamental component of a community. In every instance that the word community is used, it refers to a group of people, no matter how little or large they may be. Because we cannot imagine a community without even a group of people who live together, have a common existence, and are connected by a strong sense of communal consciousness, a community develops when multiple people live together and have common interests and viewpoints. As a result, people are the first need for developing a community.
- Definite locality: It is the following quality that defines a community. A community’s location determines what it is. A community cannot be founded by one person alone. Communities may only be formed when residents are present in a certain area. The land need not be permanent, though.
- Community Sentiment: Communities are arranged organically. It is neither a result of human volition nor a result of a political decision. It develops on its own. People joined the group at birth.
- Naturality: It is one of the crucial features of community. Without a sense of community, a group of people in one place cannot develop into a community. The term community feeling describes a strong sense of amazement or a sense of belonging among the participants. It suggests a sense of shared existence among the people in a specific location. a sentiment of unity and collaboration.
- Permanence: A community is a group that is always present. It refers to people residing permanently inside a specific territory. It is permanent, unlike that of a group or an organization.
- Similarity: A community’s members share a number of characteristics. They have a common way of life and pursue some shared goals because they are residents of a specific area. Similarities in language, culture, traditions and many other areas are seen among the members. Similarities in these areas are what lead to the emergence of a sense of community.
- Wider Ends: A community’s goals are greater. Individuals of a community work together towards a variety of goals rather than the accomplishment of one specific goal. These are typical for a neighborhood.
- Organized Social Life: Organised social life is what distinguishes a community. It implies that all facets of social life are included in a community. So, a community is referred to as a tiny version of society.
- Particular Name: Every community is referred to the outside world by a certain name. By that moniker, a community’s members are also recognized. For instance, residents in Odisha are referred to as Odia.
- No Legal Status: Since it isn’t a legal person, a community has really no legal basis. From the viewpoint of the law, it has no rights or obligations. It is not a product of local legislation.
- Community Size: The size of a community determines how it is categorized. It could be enormous or little. A village is an illustration of a tiny community, while a country or perhaps the entire world is an illustration of a large community. Both types of communities are necessary for maintaining human life.
- Concrete Nature: The nature of a community is concrete. You can see its presence because it relates to a population living in a specific area. It is hence solid.
4. What are Social Features of a Community?
The social features of community are described as a place where people felt at home. It encompasses a collection of individuals within a defined geographic area who share a common cultural and social structure, is aware of their shared identity, and are capable of acting in concert. A physical area and a sense of community are the two fundamental components of the concept of community.
The connections, interactions, and information flows that are based on a practice of continual learning are the primary features of a social society. Social communities that are knowledge-based are essential for maintaining community members’ quality of life and economic standing. Must read What is the Basic Unit in Society?
5. What are the Elements of Community?
Four things make up the elements of community: membership, influence, fulfillment of needs, and emotional connections. Let us learn about these elements of community in a broader way:
- Membership: It designates who belongs to the community and who doesn’t. It demonstrates how important people find the sense of community that comes with membership.
- Fulfillment of needs: The idea that my voice counts are what it is. When you talk, people pay attention and frequently take your counsel. This is one of the significant elements of community.
- Influence: To meet one or more needs, people join communities. Becoming better at one’s work or career is a typical need in a community of practice.
- Emotional Connection: It contains a common past, participation in, and connection with that past, as well as a strong bond amongst members. Although it is the haziest part of the community spirit, it is nevertheless crucial.
6. What are the 5 Advantages of Community?
The five advantages of community are:
- Social connections and engagements are the major ones. According to Psychology Today, older persons who are socially connected and engaged have better physical health, a stronger immune system, better moods, and a lower chance of dementia.
- Community helps in boosting physical and mental health.
- People who are resilient come into a community and adapt to the group.
- A community also looks for people through a healthy diet.
- A community assures the safety and security of its members.
7. What are Characteristics of a Good Community?
Here is a list of features of community development that make a community good:
- Inclusivity: A community must respect and accept all types of diversities for their own value.
- Open minded and Optimism: A community as well as its leader must be open-minded and optimistic in every possible sector which is utterly important for its own development.
- Rules and Regulations: Practical and sensible policies must be laid down to keep order in the neighborhood.
- Events: A community must bring several events which not only boost morale but also strengthen neighborhood ties.
- Respect and Responsibility: Each and every member must be open to having responsibilities and should respect other members for their deeds in the community.
8. What are the Two Features of Community Identity?
Community identity is determined by birth and belonging, not by any kind of acquired credentials or success, which are considered the two features of community identity. These identities are referred to as ascriptive, meaning that birth determines them and the individual has no control over them. People get a strong sense of security and fulfillment when they belong to communities. Even if we want to renounce ascriptive identities like group identities, others may still be able to recognize us by the very indicators of belonging. Check out What are Examples of Cultural Identity?
9. What are the Significant Features of Community Development?
Community development is a comprehensive strategy built on values. These values are referred to as the features of community development. These features of community development are self-determination, inclusivity, social justice, and human rights. Community development acknowledges the knowledge and wisdom of the locals and views them as experts in their own lives and communities.
10. What are the 11 Components of Community Development?
Here is a list of 11 component of community development:
- Effective Community Leadership
- Informed Citizen Participation:
- Sense of Community:
- Fostering Healthy Families and Individuals
- Benefits of Lifelong education and learning
- Community Service, Facilities
- Recreations
- Working in the Natural Environment
- Economic Vitality
- Growth and Development
- Transportation
We may conclude with the fact that a community strengthens togetherness through its features such as events, facilities, utilities, education, health issues, safety, security, and many more. It is highly important to venture out the significant roles of each individual in a group for the development of communal harmony. It acts as a strong force for justice, and several privileges. (Also read How can Individuals Contribute to bringing Change in Society?)
