Family Life Mr. M. 7th grade Health

We are a family… Everyone belongs to a family Family - a group of people who are related by blood, adoption, marriage, or have a desire for mutual support

Family Structures can Vary Traditional married families Single parent families Families built around partnerships Extended families (Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.) Foster families Temporary situations

Extended Family All relatives in addition to parents, brothers, and sisters Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins Stepparents, stepbrothers, and stepsisters

Functional Vs. Dysfunctional Healthful family: family that has all the skills needed for loving, responsible relationships Dysfunctional family: a family that lacks the skills to be successful and function in healthful ways

No Family Is Perfect We all make mistakes All have strengths and weaknesses However, in Healthful Families, children can learn from their parents/guardians. What can you do? What can you learn?

A Healthy Family Self Respecting Behavior Treating yourself in a healthful and responsible way No harm to oneself and cares for others (Not being self-centered)

Clear Sense of Values Values - standards, principles, or beliefs of an individual. Do parents/guardians act consistent with the values they teach? Examples? Good? Bad?

Responsible Decision Making Parents/Guardians set guidelines, expectations, and consequences Evaluate options before your decision and weight the consequences.

Effective Communication Who can you rely on? Can you talk to a parent/guardian? Communication skills can be learned through parents and family. Are you an active listener? Do you have empathy for the person speaking?

Dysfunctional Family Characteristics Chemical Dependency Addictions Perfectionism Violence Physical Abuse Emotional Abuse Neglect Sexual Abuse Abandonment Mental Disorders Members relate to each other in destructive and irresponsible ways

Chemical Dependency Obtaining and using drugs Abusing prescription drugs Causes changes in thinking and behavior Increase in violence Increase in abuse Child is at risk of drug abuse

Other Addictions/Disorders Eating Disorders Exercise Gambling Shopping Television Workaholic Perfectionism

Violence Controlling Keep peace by avoiding disagreements Often times, between violent acts family member is kind, gentle, and apologetic (It can be a cycle.) Children can often blame themselves. At risk of becoming juvenile offenders

Abandonment Absence of parent/guardian can cause pain, suffering, and confusion Can cause difficulty in future getting close to people. Push others away Or become overly needy

Effective Communication Part II Treat others with love and respect Find changes in your own behavior Therapy (Individual and Group) Recovery Programs TELL SOMEONE!! Someone you trust Someone that can do something to help What are your resources for help?

Empathy Every individual is different You never know what is going at home. Be sensitive to others Be alert TALK TO YOUR FAMILY!!