Support_group Support_group

Support group - Definition and Overview

Related Words: Ok, Abettor, Accept, Acceptance, Advance, Advocate, Affirmation, Aficionado, Agreement

Support groups exist to combat or legitimise conditions or behaviours.

In the case of disease, an identity or a pre-disposition, for example, a support group can provide information, act as a clearing-house for experiences, and serve as a public relations voice for sufferers, other members, and their families. Compare Mensa International and gay pride, for example.

In the case of alleged ex-cult members or personal addictions, on the other hand, a support group may veer more towards helping those involved to overcome or move "beyond" their condition/experience. In this category one can place Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve-step programmes.

Overtly or otherwise, such groups provide social networks and extended help for their members. Compare group dynamics.

Formal support groups may appear as a modern phenomenon, but they supplement traditional fraternal organizations such as Freemasonry in some respects, and may build on certain supportive functions (formerly) carried out in (extended) families.

See also

Example Usage of Support

slaughterarts: @nadiasoul but she might need a walk through, she needs ya Support
lissnup: RT @Khoshkeledoc: 17th November: International Students Day in Support of Iran - poster: #iranelection http://bit.ly/mozLl
kKeziah: Support @TheRealJordin #Flaws <3<3<3, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - http://bit.ly/JDhkT
Copyright 2009 WordIQ.com - Privacy Policy  :: Terms of Use  :: Contact Us  :: About Us
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the this Wikipedia article.