The 2025 Uniting Families Report, released today, reveals a stark truth: while most Australian families value the support of a 'village' in raising children, not all have equal access to one. Housing insecurity, financial stress and complex care responsibilities are leaving too many families without the strong networks they need to thrive. The Uniting Families Report 'It takes a village to raise a child' affirms that these networks of relationships, shared spaces and mutual care remain a critical and relevant part of raising children, however:
- Families experiencing moderate to severe financial stress report low community participation, compared to those with little or no stress
- Families with complex care responsibilities are less likely to see friends and extended family weekly
- Sole parent and blended families are significantly more likely to feel isolated from community life.
- Stable housing is a critical factor: Families that rent are less likely to participate in community activities and more likely to feel they don't belong.
Despite these challenges, the research found families remain deeply committed to reciprocity - giving as well as receiving support - and to passing on cultural identity, values and belonging to the next generation.
Tracey Burton, CEO of Uniting NSW.ACT, said the findings should be a wake-up call for policymakers: "We all know the saying 'it takes a village to raise a child', but this research shows that too many villages are out of reach.
"Stable housing, adequate income and the right services don't just keep families afloat; they allow relationships to grow, and children to be raised with confidence and care. If we want stronger communities, we must invest in the conditions that allow those villages to flourish."
The report calls for urgent action on:
- Funding services to focus on connecting families to their villages, not just fixing individual problems eg: place-based programs such as Uniting's 'Becoming U'.
- Long-term investment in community spaces such as libraries, family and community centres, and parks and playgrounds.
- Addressing the housing crisis to keep families connected to their communities and key sources of support.
- Retaining mixed funding models in the social sector, so services can build ongoing relationships with those they serve and community groups rather than purely transactional support.
Tamara Pararajasingham, Director of Impact and Innovation at Uniting NSW.ACT, said: "Families told us they don't see the village as purely transactional. It's a living ecosystem of care.
"When policy and services recognise that, we stop treating families as isolated units and start supporting the social fabric that sustains them."
The Uniting Families Report draws on national HILDA data and in-depth interviews with families from diverse cultural, geographic and family-structure backgrounds. It reveals both the resilience of Australian families and the structural barriers that can limit connection.
Dr Megan Blaxland, Senior Research Fellow at UNSW's Social Policy Research Centre, said: "Good policy starts with good evidence. By listening to families and understanding the conditions that help them connect, we can design services and communities that truly support them.
"Research like this gives us the knowledge we need to create better outcomes for children, parents and the places they live."
The Uniting Families Report 'It takes a village to raise a child' is a partnership between Uniting NSW.ACT and the UNSW Social Policy Research Centre, with the collaboration of Uniting Vic.Tas, Uniting WA, and UnitingSA.
Read the full report: uniting.org/families-report
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