Institute of Advanced Studies

Linked Up Lives – Putting Together Work, Home and Community in Australian Suburbs

by Dr Philippa Williams, Research Fellow in the Centre for Work + Life, University of South Australia

Individuals and families around Australia are struggling to integrate the demands of work with the needs of home and community life. This project sheds light on why this is becoming an increasing problem in suburban Australia by drawing together the views of residents (both adults and teenagers), workers, business owners and community service providers. The findings of this research have implications for employers, educators, businesses, urban planners, developers, community organisations and social services.

This study identified the key issues affecting men, women and adolescents’ ability to achieve sustaining and sustainable lives in 10 Australian communities. It considers the demands and resources of work, home and community and examines how they interact to affect people with different care obligations, in various relationships with the labour market and at different stages of life.

There were many stories in this study. Stories about working mothers giving up careers to work close to home; about men spending less time with their children because of long commutes; about older retired residents feeling isolated in neighbourhoods dominated by dual income households; about teenagers with nothing to do and poor access to opportunities. There were also some very positive stories. Stories about the ease of fitting work, home and community together when residential areas had good access to broad employment and education opportunities; about the role of good libraries in the lives of disadvantaged teenagers and their families; about the ease of developing community connections when social planning was a priority.

One thing that was striking about these stories was how interconnected they were. Reminding us that individual experiences and decisions around work, home and community have consequences for our families, our neighbours, our communities and our larger society.

The Grace Vaughan Memorial Lecture

The annual Grace Vaughan Memorial Lecture is a partnership arrangement between the Australian Association of Social Workers, The University of Western Australia and Department for Communities - Women’s Interests, Western Australia.

The Grace Vaughan Memorial Lecture is held annually to commemorate the life and achievements of Grace Vaughan who died in 1984. She was a social worker, social activist and parliamentarian who was dedicated to the improvement of life at all levels and had a deep commitment to Australia’s participation in the Asian region and to ensuring women’s full participation in society.

Monday, 24 May 2010