The majority of parents (84% or 1423) described their family as a strong family which ‘always’ or ‘most times’ help each other. Ninety one per cent of parents ‘always’ or ‘most times’ describe themselves as a ‘good son or daughter’ to their families. Two thirds of parents reported they understood and knew ‘lots’ or a ‘fair bit’ about their family, history and culture
Almost three quarters of parents interviewed had people praise them for something they were good at ‘always’ or ‘most times’.
About half of all the children’s grandparents (49% or 823) provide care for them when parents cannot be there. When parents needed advice, about two thirds said they ask family and friends. Eighty eight per cent reported that when they are sad or upset, they have a person that they could talk to. Eighty-three per cent of parents reported they had an older person looking out for them ‘always’ or ‘most times.’ Eighty one per cent of parents reported that they ‘always’ or ‘most times’ get used to big changes in their lives fairly quickly. High numbers of parents (84% or 1,418) described themselves as being able to ‘always’ or ‘most times’ laugh and make a joke.
“With us, my sisters they are like other parents to her. We don’t say cousins, we say sisters – that’s her aunties. It’s the blackfella way.”