Families

Objectives

• List the primary functions of families

• Define the traditional family life cycle and its variations

• Assess the effects of current social trends on family life

• Identify ways to strengthen families

• Give examples of how common changes can affect a family

• Describe family challenges that can turn into crises

• Explain how sources of help can provide benefits during family challenges

Functions of a Family

• They nurture family members by providing the care and attention needed to promote development

• Families provide the structure children learn from to become independent and live in society

Functions of a Family

• Meet Physical Needs– Most basic responsibility is to provide food,

clothing and shelter– Also includes responsibility for health and safety

• Promote Intellectual Development– Family is child’s first teacher– Parents, siblings and other family members can all

help young children learn– Should remain active in children’s learning even

after they start school

- Children’s initial reading competence is correlated with the home literacy environment, number of books owned, and parent distress

- In a nationwide study of American kindergarten children, 36% of parents in the lowest-income quintile read to their children on a daily basis, compared with 62% of parents from the highest-income quintile

Child Literacy and SES

Functions of a Family

• Meet Emotional Needs– Families nurture emotional needs by showing love and

acceptance– Help develop a positive self-image and high self-esteem– Teach children how to express their emotions in

acceptable ways

• Encourage Social Skills– Socialization means learning how to interact with other

people– Some social skills taught directly, (please/thank you)– Everything children see (tone of voice/body language)

helps them form their idea of appropriate behavior

Family StructureStructure Description

Nuclear Includes two-parents and one or more children

Single-Parent Includes one parent and one or more children

Blended When two people marry and at least one person has a child or children from a previous marriage

Adoptive A family with a child or children made a permanent part of the family through legal action

Foster A family temporary caring for a child or children; some foster families become adoptive families

Legal Guardian A person who has financial and legal duties to care for a child or children

Intergenerational One or two parents, children and/or other relatives like grandparents, cousins, aunts or uncles

The Family Life Cycle

• Families go through a process of growth and change over the years, called the family life cycle

• Gives a general picture of how families must adapt to changing situations

The Family Life Cycle• Beginning Stage

– Family cycle starts when two people marry and establish their relationship

• Parenting Stage– Priorities shift to children, less time for the couple

• Launching Stage– Time of transition as children begin to leave home and become

independent• Middle-Age Stage

– Parents have time to focus on relationship again. Preparing for retirement becomes a more immediate concern

• Retirement Stage– More time for leisure activities, age-related and health issues more

likely to be major concerns

Family Trends

• Every family experiences changes and many result from societal trends

• Smaller Families– In 1800, the average family included 7 children

• Divorce and Remarriage– Divorce rate is higher today than it was 50 years ago

• Single Parents– Most single-parent households are headed by

women, although the percentage headed by men is increasing

Qualities of a Strong Family

A strong family is similar to a tree – both are deeply rooted in a nourishing environment

Qualities of a Strong Family

• Individual Respect– Accept and appreciate

their differences

• Effective Communication– Practical and Emotional

• Mutual Trust– Building trust is a two-

way street– If you want people to

trust you, you must show you are trustworthy

• Emotional Support– Let your family know they you

are there for them

• Sharing and Traditions– Helps form strong and lasting

bonds

• Outside Support System– A support system consists of all

the people and organizations a family can turn to

– Extended family, Social services, Libraries, Parks, Schools and Churches

Reflection Part I

• On a separate piece of paper, to be turned in• Answer the following questions, in complete sentences:1. Explain how a family meets each members emotional

needs.2. Identify why the middle-aged stage can be enjoyable

for couples.3. Give an example of why it was helpful to have a large

family in the 19th century.4. List some of the typical components of a family

support system.

Types of Family Changes

• Families have a valuable resource in one another

• Responding to change or crisis can help bring family members closer together

• Change tends to create stress for families because it requires the family to adapt to a new situation

Types of Family Changes

• Moving to a new home• Employment changes• New additions:– Baby– Older child– Step-Relatives

• Moving back home– Adult Children– Older Relatives

Crises

• A crises is an event or situation that overwhelms the usual coping methods and causes severe stress

Crises• Financial Hardship– All family members need to understand that sacrifices

must be made when serious financial problems arise– Patience and support can go a long way

• Divorce– Is one of the most painful changes a family can go

through– The legally assigned responsibility for the care of the

children and the decisions that affect them is called custody

– Parents may be awarded joint custody, in which they are equally responsible, or primary custody where one parent makes the decisions

Crises

• Teen Pregnancy– Pregnant teens need the support of their parents– Both teen parents have a financial and practical

responsibility to the child– Teen parents are not the only ones whose lives are

affected– Their parents and other family members often

face adjustments and must take on added responsibilities

Crises

• Health issues– Some families face the challenges of caring for

someone who is mentally or physically ill– Financial difficulties from health issues can build

up• Death– Losing a special person to death can bring painful

emotional and physical feelings– Greif is sorrow caused by the death of a loved one

Crises

• Drug and Alcohol Problems– Substance abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the

misuse of legal drugs or substances– Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance– Alcoholism is a physical and mental dependence

on alcohol– Entire families are damaged by the side effects of

substance abuse

Crises

• Family Violence– Abuse is never justified– Abuse is when a person

threatens the physical or mental health of another

– Neglect is the failure to give the proper and required care

– Abusers and their victims can benefit from counseling

• Major Disasters– Hurricanes, earthquakes,

floods and fires are some of the disasters that can strike people’s homes or communities

– Public agencies and private organizations often provide aid

– However, overcoming the emotional affects of a disaster can take a long time

Help

• Many times people find their own solutions

• Sources of help include:– Your family, teachers,

counselors, religious leaders, friends, support groups and professional counselors.

Reflection Part II

• On a separate piece of paper, to be turned in• Answer the following questions, in complete

sentences:1. Give an example of how employment changes

can cause stress.2. Explain how divorce can be hard on the

children involved.3. List some sources of help available to families

during crises.