Home, School and Community TECA 1303 Nita Thomason Ed.D ©2010 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Define Family Write your definition of family.

Family The family is a group of individuals with a continuing legal, genetic and/or emotional relationship. Society relies on the family group to provide for the economic and protective needs of individuals, especially children and the elderly. (1984) (2003) American Academy of Family Physicians A family is a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members) are considered as members of one family. Census A family is a social group organized or governed by a repeatable set of rules. Jackson (1965) “A family is people who live together who help and love each other.” A second grade student.

©2009 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. What Defines a Family? “Ideal family” influenced by cultural images Diverse family structures Intimate, interdependent, shared goals Commitment, responsibility

©2009 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Demographics of Modern Families Increased marital instability Increased numbers of single parents Poverty and stress in single-parent homes Changes in role behavior for men and women Changes in life at home and work Mobility reduces community and family support Smaller families Increased rate of social change A child-centered society Stress of modern life—over commitment at work and home

Your view of families What do you consider are the traits of an ideal family? Write them down and share them. Write down a list of families you know in your neighborhood, church, from childhood, work Put an x by those that you feel most comfortable with. How are they alike or different from your ideal? What kind of families are they?

©2009 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Why Study Sociological Trends? Need for understanding children’s and family’s experiences Compassion for today’s families Realizing that form of the family may not relate to family’s ability to function

Diversity of Parenting Structures Nuclear family: Less than ½ of children under 18 live in family with two parents (including step-parents). Both parents in positive marital relationship yield best outcomes for children. Single-Parent: One of every four children Less positive outcomes in every area Blended: Concerns: parent doesn’t have chance to slowly attach, develop history; child feelings of betrayal, jealousy. Positives: Another parent to share responsibilities Both birth parents must be supportive and positive about developing relationships with new parent Share the responsibilities for discipline and guidance Young children adjust best Other than biological parenting Grandparents Adoption Relative Care

Components of Family Structure Division of labor: Who is responsible for each family function? Rules of behavior: What are expectations for everyday family interactions? Family roles: What behavior is expected? Power hierarchy: Who has the power? What about your family? Has your family experienced significant times of change?

FTS: Family Life Cycle Beginning family Childbearing family Families with preschool children Families with school age children Families with adolesents Launching The middle years Aging families

Family Strengths Research These factors are present in strong families: –Appreciation –Spending time together –Open communication –Commitment –High degree of religious orientation or spirituality –Ability to deal with crises in a positive manner

Figure 1.4 The Contexts of Human Development