The Role of Families

Why Study Families Terms to Know: adoptive families, blended families, extended families, foster families, nuclear families, nurture, sibling What makes a family? (write down your own answer) By learning about families, we will understand the influence families have and how you can contribute to your family

Family Structures Nuclear Family: husband, wife, and their biological children

Cont. Extended Family: parents, children, and other family members – Example: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

Cont. Blended Families: husband, wife, and at least one child from a previous marriage

Cont. Single-parent families: One parent and their child

Cont. Adoptive families: one or more children not born into a family but made a permanent member by law

Cont. Foster families: a couple or individual assumes temporary responsibility for the care of a child

Cont. Couple: married individuals without children

Trends Affecting Families Birth rate: Number of children has decreased Women in the workforce: more women working, spend less time at home Increasing lifespan: 1900-men 47, women men 73, women 80 Mobility: change residence often Divorce: very common; over half of marriages today will end in divorce; more people not remarrying

Functions of Families Meet physical needs: food, clothing, shelter, and health care Promote emotional growth: showing love and acceptance, emotional refuge, expressing emotions Shape social development: teach how to behave towards others, basic social skills (mainly through example, not directly), preserving culture and heritage

Cont. Aiding intellectual development: parents and siblings are first teachers, teaching thinking skills and encouraging creativity/imagination Guiding moral growth: teaching a code of conduct and a set of values Total picture: difficult for families to provide for all a person’s needs

Your Role in the Family Because of the large impact families have on individuals, important to have a nurturing and strong family Teens can be role models for young siblings and provide support for other members in the family

Strengthening Families Chapter 15

What is Family Strength Solid base Deeply rooted Nourishing environment Similar to an oak tree

What Creates Strength Respect – Each other’s behaviors, abilities, needs, and opinions, even when not shared – Don’t make members more or less worthy of others – Appreciate and value differences – Example: ask permission, knock on closed doors

Cont. Trust – Closeness is built on trust – Count on each other for help and support – Responsibilities show your parents trust you

Cont. Emotional Support – Words and actions that reassure others and share positive feelings – Ways to show support: “you did a great job” Give a hug for no reason Doing a task without being asked

Cont. Communication – Essential – Leave a note or phone call message – Prevents confusion

Sharing One of the 1 st lessons learned as a child Working towards a common goal helps bind family members together Traditions Spending time together

Finding Time for Families Strategies for managing time: – Set priorities – Allow for variations – Be realistic about what can be done – Seek and give cooperation with other family members – Learn to manage stress – Plan together how time will be spent

Support Systems Network of groups and individuals that a family can turn to for help Help families to accomplish family goals A lot of times, support systems include extended family like grandparents or aunts and uncles Neighbors, community, or professional services

Adjusting to Family Changes Chapter 16

Family Life Cycle General pattern to describe how families grow 5 steps: – Beginning stage: couple establish a home – Parental stage: become parents and raise their children – Launching stage: children leave home to start a new life for themselves – Middle age stage: after children have left, parents now have time for themselves – Retirement stage: more freedom for travel and leisure activities

Changes Families Make New family members – Most common change – Usually a happy event – Could be a new baby, a relative, or adoption

Moving Very significant change A lot of adjusting required by all Steps to make it easier: – Learn as much as possible about new place – Talk with others that have moved – Join clubs to meet new people – Join church or community group – Have a positive attitude

Job Change & Job Loss

Divorce One of most painful Confusion and stress Time for adjustment Counseling may help

Remarriage and Blending Families merging together Feelings of resentment, confusion, anger Tips for blending families: – May not like it, but try and find a way to make it work – Work out new ways to manage time and space – Review rules – Get to know new members – Some difficult moments, not always wonderful experience

Illness and Accidents Disrupt family life Emotional distress Find strength in one another

Death Traumatic event Recovery may be slow Suggestions for coping: – Take responsibility for things you can do – Participate in events that help you accept the reality of the event – Spend time with young members of the family – Death due to illness – learn about disease

Accepting Change Cooperate Communicate Follow routines as much as possible Don’t be afraid to ask for help in dealing with difficult times Be adaptable!!