Family Dynamics Types of Families

Actual Definition of Family  1: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head – According to Webster’s Dictionary 2008.

Important Definitions to Know  Child Support- Financial support paid by a parent to help support a child or children of whom they do not have custody. Child support can be entered voluntarily or ordered by a court or a properly empowered administrative agency, depending on each state’s laws.  Custodial Parent- Person with whom the child(ren) live with the majority of the time.  Non-Custodial Parent- person with whom the children do not live with or live with half or less of the time.

Family  Despite the changing lifestyles and ever- increasing personal mobility that characterize modern society, the family remains the central element of contemporary life.  Families offer companionship, security, and a measure of protection against an often uncaring world. But family structure, like society at large, has undergone significant changes in the years since World War II. While the nuclear family -- with Dad, Mom, and offspring happily coexisting beneath one roof-remains the ideal, variations in family structure are plentiful -- and often successful.

Nuclear Family  The Nuclear Family is traditionally thought of as the parents and the siblings.  A good example of a nuclear family would be…?

The Extended Family  The extended family refers to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. A strong relationship with your extended family can be just as rewarding as close ties inside the nuclear family.

Single Parents  Numerous extenuating circumstances can result in a single parent. Traditionally, single parents are thought to be a product of a divorce, but a widower or a mother who had never been married can also be a single parent. Regardless of the causes, single parents face an uphill battle. While being a single parent is difficult, it can be just as rewarding a traditional, nuclear family.  A famous single parent family for an example could be…?

Stepfamilies or Blended Families  In past generations, stepfamilies were uncommon and most people did not know how to relate to them. Now, as the stigmas against divorce and remarriage continue to dissolve, more and more stepfamilies are coming together. While it's never easy to merge two families together, stepfamilies can be an opportunity to forge new, lasting, loving bonds.  A famous blended family as an example would be…?

Family Structures of the Past  Divorce was very uncommon, just 50 years ago it was less than 15% of married couples divorced.  Men were considered the “breadwinners”, and women were to run the household and raise the children. Think of the movie Mary Poppins, what role did women have and children have? The setting is How are children raised?  K_fDu9Y K_fDu9Y

Family Structure Today  67% of children today live with both parents.  Children living in mother-only families is 24%.  Children living in father-only families is 5%.  Living without either parent (with other relatives or with nonrelatives) is 5%.  There are federal reforms to encourage two parent married homes for children. Why do you think the government is worried about single family homes?

What Effect Does Family Structure Have on children?  Economic suffering- With only one parent money is tighter, thus sometimes leading to deprivation of computers, clothes, the ability to go to good schools because of living in poor neighborhoods and so forth. Research showing that children do better at school and exhibit fewer behavioral problems when nonresident fathers or mothers pay child support.

What Effect Does Family Structure Have on Children?  Quality of Parenting- quality of parenting is one of the best predictors of children's emotional and social well-being. Many single parents, however, find it difficult to function effectively as parents. Compared with continuously married parents, they are less emotionally supportive of their children, have fewer rules, dispense harsher discipline, are more inconsistent in dispensing discipline, provide less supervision, and engage in more conflict with their children.  Outcomes including poor academic achievement, emotional problems, conduct problems, low self- esteem, and problems forming and maintaining social relationships. Other studies show that depression among custodial mothers, which usually detracts from effective parenting, is related to poor adjustment among offspring.

What Effect Does Family Structure Have on Children?  Exposure to “Stress”- Children living with single parents are exposed to more stressful experiences and circumstances than are children living with continuously married parents. Economic hardship, unskilled parenting, and loss of contact with a parent can be stressful for children.

What about the children?  Should parents stay together for the children’s sake?  Why do you think the lower economic status groups (low income) has children outside of marriage?

Reflection  Should marriage be forever?  We vow often in front of God that we will be together till death do us part…do you think we should say it, if later we change our minds?  If we remarry, is it just as important to take the other spouses kids, and treat as your own?