Views of the village: Parents' perceptions of their Neighbourhoods

Abstract

Parental views of their neighbourhoods can influence many decisions they make, including their choice of where to live and the extent to which children play outside. An understanding of the factors that are associated with parents' perceptions of neighbourhood facilities and a sense of belonging is important to create better policies to promote better child and family functioning. This article addresses the following questions of relevance to policymakers: Do parental perceptions of neighbourhood facilities and their sense of belonging differ according to the ages of the children? How similar are the perceptions of neighbourhood facilities and sense of belonging of parents living in the same neighbourhood? What features of the neighbourhood are associated with parental perceptions of neighbourhood facilities and belonging?