Social capital

Social capital is the raw material of civil society created from the everyday interactions between people. It is not located within the person but within the space between people. It is not the property of the organisation, the market, or the state, althou gh all these can engage in its production for mutual benefit. It originates with people forming social connections and networks based on principles of trust, mutual reciprocity, and norms of action. It is referred to as capital because that term invests th e concept with the same status as other forms of capital: financial, physical, and human. The term capital is also appropriate because it can be measured and quantified in a way that can distribute its benefits and avoid its losses.[1]

Participation in the local community

In the New South Wales Population Health Survey the following question was asked: In the last 6 months, how often have you attended a local community event such as a church or school fete, school concert, or a street fair?

Just over one-half (56.4 per cent) of Aboriginal adults had attended a local community event in the last 6 months. More females (61.9 per cent) than males (50.5 per cent) had attended a local community event. There was no significant variation in the propo rtion of urban residents (50.1 per cent) and rural residents (60.2 per cent); however, Aboriginal adults in the Greater Southern Health Area were most likely (74.0 per cent) to have attended a local community event.

Feelings of trust

In the New South Wales Population Health Survey the following question was asked: Do you agree or disagree with the statement 'Most people can be trusted'?

More than half (60.6 per cent) of Aboriginal adults agree that most people can be trusted, with similar rates for males (61.2 per cent) and females (60.1 per cent). Aboriginal adults aged 65–74 years were the most likely to agree that most people can be trusted. There was little difference between urban areas (59.6 per cent) and rural areas (61.3 per cent).

Social reciprocity and neighbourhood connection

In the New South Wales Population Health Survey the following question was asked: How often have you visited someone in your neighbourhood in the past week?

Just over two-thirds (69.7 per cent) of Aboriginal adults had visited someone in their neighbourhood in the last week. More males (72.5 per cent) than females (67.1 per cent) had visited someone in their neighbourhood in the last week. There was some geogr aphical variation, with a higher proportion of rural residents (72.0 per cent) than urban residents (65.9 per cent) having visited someone in their neighbourhood in the last week.

Reference

Onyx J, Bullen P. Measuring Social Capital in Five Communities in New South Wales. Sydney: Centre for Australasian Community Organisations and Management, 1998. Online at www.mapl.com.au/A2.htm, accessed 6 March 2006.

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2006 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
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Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	1 July 2007