There are three tiers of assessing the family friendliness of a community. The first level, physical and emotional safety, ensures that families live without undue fear. The second addresses the accessibility of activities of for all families. The third and final tier assimilates the family into meaningful roles within the community.

The most basic level, that of safety, is the foundation for all others. Looking at a community's crime rate is often used as a glimpse of overall safety. But where families are concerned, crimes against children and minorities may be a better gauge. Schools in particular need to protect both the physical and emotional safety of their students. A school which does not allow guns or knives, but turns a blind eye to bullying and harassing will not provide a safe environment in which children can learn and grow.

When families feel safe, they will desire to enter the community together. The second level, that of accessibility, provides them the opportunity and resources. Parks and green spaces are a good start. Activities in which the family can participate, such as fairs, festivals or farmer's markets, add even more to a community's appeal. If zoos, museums or other cultural offerings are close by, then making family memberships and scholarships available ensures that families of all sizes and income levels will have access to all an area has to offer.

The final tier is assimilation. This is where a family moves beyond attending community events and becomes a part of these events. For this to happen, age restrictions for volunteering need to be lax or nonexistent. Children are never too young to tear a ticket, hand out programs, pick up trash or pleasantly greet patrons. And those who play a vital role in their community as children are much more likely to continue their involvement as adults.

Safety. Accessibility. Assimilation. These are the trademarks of a family friendly community. They are goals which take vision and perseverance to achieve. But the benefits to everyone member of the community make their realization well worth the effort.

Learn more about this author, Brenda Wells.
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