To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”
Save to my list
Remove from my list
There are various meanings given to the idea of a group. The most basic description of a group is that it constitutes two or more individuals who have a similar or same social identification, and they perceive themselves as members of the same social category. A more elaborate definition of a social group is that it is a collection of individuals who engage in face to face interaction, attraction and influence .These people may be in the same or different structural positions in respect to one another.
This definition takes a more logical explanation.
A self help group has been understood as an informal group that has members who have a common need and an urge to solve this collectively. The Self Help Associations Act, 2015 defines this group as ‘a non-professional association comprising community members from the same socioeconomic background with a common problem or situation for the purpose of pooling resources, gathering information and offering mutual support services or care’.
Verified writer
Proficient in: People
4.7 (348)
“ Amazing as always, gave her a week to finish a big assignment and came through way ahead of time. ”
The latter definition excludes groups formed by professionals such as dentists, clinical officers, farmers, and musicians. The two definitions emphasize on a common problem and collective action to respond to the problem.
Accumulating Savings and Credit Associations is another way of identifying groups where meetings occur for six to twelve months and savings during this period is accumulated. These savings are then distributed to all members in cash. Lending can be made to group members and non-group members. Rotating savings and credit association collect a certain amount of money from group members and then give to one person who has been randomly selected.
In the next round the person who got the money is not involved in the selection criteria. This goes on until all members have been given the contributions.
Groups have the potential to change people’s lives when goals and objectives set up are achieved. Various scholars have emphasized the economical, social, political and psychological benefits of being in a group. Kinyanjui (2012) noted that groups formed by ordinary people cared for the financial, psychological and social concerns of group members. Miller et al (2015) emphasizes the importance of group identity in enhancing mental well being especially membership in more than one group. More benefits have been noted in groups that are involved in care giving, substance abuse, depression, diabetes, and bereavement.
The different roles that groups referred to as ’vyama’ play in society have been well documented by Kinyanjui (2012). This was done after conducting a rigorous study in Nairobi, Kenya, on the strategies that groups utilize in order to maintain society and markets. The sample included households that were purposively selected in order to establish the nature and the extent to which groups are utilized. From the study, groups collected monies from members whose only way of saving was through the group. These people had been excluded from formal banking institutions as they lacked physical collateral such as land. Through the savings from the group, members were able to pay their rent, buy food, clothes, household items, and pay school fees. Investments which included buying transport vehicles, building houses for rent, buying shares in the stock market, buying machines were also made using the finances that had been saved by the group over a period of time. The groups also distributed the accumulated wealth to group members. This enabled the group members to venture into various businesses. These groups also took the role of lending money to group members which would be repaid at lower interest rates compared to the banks.
Social protection which involved financing costs during child birth, illness and death were also met by the group. The groups also partly contributed towards dowry payment, weddings, catering for aged parents and even graduation ceremonies. Majority of the members became empowered in terms of making informed choices. Some groups were able to provide counselling to members who had suicidal thoughts. Others acquired better communication skills as they continued to interact in the group. As the groups grew they were able to engage in other social responsibilities such as training farmers on best practices, youth development, and funding various school projects. Skilled workers in the informal sector were also able to sell their labour collectively which guarded against exploitation through low wages from contractors. In the study the evolving nature of groups from the household level, to coordinating the market and eventually becoming developmental groups was observed.
Groups can enhance the mental wellbeing of its members. In the United States a study was conducted to gauge the relevance of belonging to multiple groups before suffering from stroke and how the maintenance of these groups influenced recovery. Group membership at the work place, sports groups, professional groups or social groups was being considered. The results of the study showed that life satisfaction was related to multiple group membership and their maintenance. Membership to these groups was associated with maintained wellbeing as members were assured that they would remain in these groups even after suffering from stroke. It was also noted that stroke conditions that caused mental failures threatened wellbeing and membership to these groups. This study showed the importance of identifying oneself as a member of a certain group and how this can facilitate recovery of a disease.
In another study, Cruwys et al (2013) interrogated how social group membership can protect against future depression, reduce depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse. The study was set on looking for evidence on how social support provided by members of a group could help depressed people and prevent them from falling into depression in the future. The findings of the study indicated that depressed respondents who joined a group reduced the risk of suffering from depression again by 24 percent. When they joined three groups the risk of relapse went down by 63 percent. This showed that social groups can protect against developing depression and be curative for those who are already suffering. This would have implications on the general health of the public as more people would be healthy and hence more productive in their work.
Kwon, 2016 conducted a study to assess the role of self help groups in women’s psychological and socioeconomic empowerment. The groups were accessed through snow ball sampling where one group referred the researcher to the next group until a sample of five groups was achieved. From the study it was concluded that these groups have a major role in women empowerment. The women were able to make decisions on which their children would go, of which, previously they could not engage in such issues and allowed the men in the household to do this. These benefits prompt a study on how groups are formed, their survival techniques and the performance of different groups. This study will provide a description of the criteria that individuals use to form groups.
Features And Benefits Of Social Group Membership. (2024, Feb 17). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/features-and-benefits-of-social-group-membership-essay
👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!
Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.
get help with your assignment
