Editing Support group (section)

==History==
Formal support groups may appear to be a modern phenomenon, but they supplement traditional [[fraternal organization]]s such as [[Freemasonry]] in some respects, and may build on certain supportive functions (formerly) carried out in (extended) [[family|families]].

Other types of groups formed to support causes, including causes outside of themselves, are more often called ''[[advocacy groups]]'', ''interest groups'', ''lobby groups'', ''pressure groups'' or ''promotional groups''.  [[Trade union]]s and many environmental groups, for example, are interest groups.  The term ''support group'' in this article refers to peer-to-peer support.