1. Bs 18 The family, culture and illness

2. Overview of the family Definition A group of people related by blood, adoption or marriage is a family The interpersonal relationships –significant role in health Nuclear and extended families The traditional nuclear family includes mother, father and dependant children Extended family grand parents, aunts and cousins who live outside house hold.

3. Demographics and current trends Marriage and children in the US the average age of first marriage is 24,.5 for women and 26.7 for men. More than 75% of people 30-54 years of age are married. A good marriage is important predictor of health. married people are physically and mentally healthier and have higher self esteem than non married people

6. 40% of children live in families with 2 working parents. 23% live in traditional family in which father works outside and mother stays at home. Cost of raising children in US 90,000$ to 180000$. Add 80000$ for private college fees.

7. 25% are childless. Half of them are child less by choice.

8. Divorce and single parent families Close to half of all marriages in US end in divorce Factors associated with divorce include lack of family support, marriage during teenage years, differences in religion and socio economic back ground, serious illness and death of a child. Divorced men are more likely to marry than women. physicians have a higher divorce rate than other occupations..

9. Single parent families Have lower incomes and less social support. Chances of physical and mental illness >. Fastest growing population of single mothers is educated professional women. Single parent families 87% are headed by women 13 % headed by men.

10. Children in single parent families > Risk of illness, depression, drug abuse, suicide, crimes and divorce. > Risk of illness, depression, drug abuse, suicide, crimes and divorce. Even if noncustodial parent does not provide support, children who continue to have regular contact have fewer problems.

11. Child custody After divorce, types of child custody being granted include joint split and sole custody. In sole custody child lives with one parent while the other has visitation rights. Joint residential custody –child spends some time living with each parent. Split custody – each parent has custody of at least one child.

12. Culture in the US. Most elderly americans spend the last years living on their own. 20% live with family members 5% live in nursing homes. Emphasis placed on hygeine and cleanliness Nuclear family with few children is valued.

13. Culture and illness Ehnic groups are not homogeneous. Groups often have characteristic ways of dealing with illness. Culture shock Strong emotional response related to geographic relocation. Young immigrant men.> Risk of this.

14. Minority subcultures 32 million african americans Average incomes is about half white families They have shorter life expectancy Higher rates of hypertension, stroke obesity

15. Hispanic americans Spanish speaking place greater value on nuclear family with many children. respect for the elderly is important. seek health care from folk healers.15 million mexican americans, 2 million puerto rican americans, 5 million others.

16. Asian americans The largest group of asian americans are chinese 1.5 million, filipino 1.4 million, japanese 1 million. Korean.8 million, asian indian.6 million and vietnamese.5 million. Strong respect for elderly.abdominal aortic area – spiritual core Folk remedies

17. Native americans—american indians and eskimos 2 million native americans Have their own programme of medical care Low incomes.high rates of alcoholism and suicide