Social connections are described as friends, family members, neighbors, and other members of a community who provide emotional support and concrete assistance to parents.

Helping parents build constructive friendships and other positive connections can reduce their isolation, which is a consistent risk factor in child abuse and neglect. Isolation is a problem in particular for family members who are in crisis or need intensive help, such as victims of domestic violence.

Social connections build parents' "social capital," their network of others in the community - family, friends, neighbors, churches, etc. - whom they can call on for help solving problems.

Social connections also enable parents to develop and reinforce community norms about behavior. Norms against violence help reduce child abuse and neglect.

Friendships lead to mutual assistance in obtaining resources that all families need from time to time, including transportation, respite child care, and other tangible assistance as well as emotional support.

Our Circle of ParentsŪ groups offer social connections to parents and families. Visit www.pcamn.org to learn about them. The information from this article and more can be found at www.strengtheningfamilies.net.