Research on Fatima Mansions in Relation to the Theories of Community

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In relation to this statement I have decided to research a community within inner city Dublin. I will focus my research on the community of Fatima Mansions in relation to the theories of community, the functions of the community, community supports and resources and community integration versus community marginalisation. There is no one definition for Community, Community is a contested concept that when we begin to study we learn that it is a very complex topic. Bell and Newby (1976) provided four definitions of community, one of which refers to community as a “specific place and to imagine it as a small self-contained society.” Some functions of community were outlined in “The Community in America” (1963) by Ronald Warren, these functions are as follows: 1. Socialisation: “Socialisation refers to the way in which we absorb the rules of behaviour which are common in our society.”(Abbott 1998:10) This function allows children and adults to learn from each other. Norms, customs and values are learnt by the members of the community. This socialisation provides individuals with the ability to function within their community by acquiring the ideologies and customs of the community. 2. Social Control: Social Control can come in two forms- Formal and Informal. Formal methods of social control are generally carried out by the legal system. Informal methods of social control are generally in relation to family, educational institutions. Social control aims to ensure that the expected behaviour of the community is adhered to. 3. Mutual Support: This function is very obvious in the community of Fatima Mansions that I have researched. This mutual support is the support given within the community among the residents. It was evident... ... middle of paper ... ...ion plan this would all change. Not only did the opinions of the surrounding areas have to change about Fatima but the residents themselves needed to begin to change their opinions and begin to feel proud of where they lived. Now with the continual regeneration of Fatima there is social integration evident within the community as there are both private and public housing in the community now. This integration tackled the once major issue of the social isolation experienced by the people of Fatima Mansions. After carrying out my research on the community of Fatima Mansions I have learnt of the hardships that this community has suffered including social marginalization and dysfunction, but with provided supports and resources and the drive of the community these hardships have been overcome and now Fatima Mansions is the community it was once aspiring to become.

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