New Directions in Aboriginal (N’Unga’) in South Australia

In traditional Aboriginal communities the young were cared for by the COMBINED efforts of relatives. Traditional social/cultural values included an emphasis on the extended family as the basic unit, with responsibility for the welfare of each member of a tribe being shared by all. Methods of child-rearing emphasised undemanding security and physical demonstration of affection, rather then discipline, training and material comforts. The structure of the extended family varied from tribe to tribe with different members having primary responsibility for child care.