1. Family Life Merit Badge
Presented 2006
Mrs. Sandberg

2. Requirement #1
What is a family? Basic unit of society consisting of one or more adults living together and cooperating in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children.
Why are families important to individuals and society? People, especially children need families in order to survive. Families help care for their needs and teach them morals. Society benefits from the skills that families teach because individuals grow up to be productive citizens.
How can the actions of one family member affect other family members? If you don’t do you responsibilities, such as dishes, taking out the garbage, ect. other members of the family would have to do these and this could cause conflict. If a member of the family does something illegal it could have an emotional impact on the other members and could hurt financially.

3. Requirement #2
List several reasons why you are important to your family.
Give at least six. Be sure to have you parents initial it and review them with your counselor.

4. Requirement #3
You need to get started on this one right away as it takes 90 days to complete.
Pick 5 chores that you do at home. Write them under Duty 1, Duty 2, ect.
Keep track of the dates that you do each chore.

5. Requirement #4
With the approval of your parents/guardian and counselor decide on and carry out a project that you would do around the house that would benefit your family. Submit a report stating what the project is and how it benefited your family.
This is to be a project that you do on your own.

6. Requirement # 5
Plan and carry out a project that involves the participation of your family.
Answer the following questions:
What project did you plan and carry out?
What was the objective/goal of your project?
Tell how individual members participated.
The results of the project were:
Possible projects: Ring Bells for the Salvation Army, participate in Chain Reaction Day, help an elderly or handicapped person with yard work or a home repair, do something for your church.

7. Requirement #6
Discuss with you merit badge counselor how to plan and carry out a family meeting. Give a brief summary about what was discussed.
Guidelines for a Family Meeting
Meet at a regular time. Once a week and have meeting last minutes.
Make a list of topics. Post them in a location were everyone may see them and be able to add things.
Plan the time. Decide how much time is needed for each topic and stick to it.
Take turns being the leader.
Take notes.
Be sure that everyone takes part in the meeting
Limit complaining.
Do what you agree to do.
Take time for fun. Plan something fun for the family to do after the meeting or during the next week.

8. Requirement #6 continued
Hold a family meeting.
During the meeting discuss avoiding substance abuse. Write a brief summary.
During the meeting discuss the growing up process and how the body changes and making responsible decisions dealing with sex. Have your parent initial.
Discuss family finances and give brief summary.
Discuss a crisis situation that could face your family and write a brief summary.
Discuss the effects of technology on your family and write a brief summary.

9. Requirement #7
Discuss with your counselor what makes and effective father. Give a summary
An effective father knows his children, what haunts and hurts them and what brings them joy and pleasure. An effective father also know when is child has had a bad day, or is upset about something. He will know the names of friends and encourage his child. A father will know strengths and weaknesses and when his child is embarrassed. He will do what he can to motivate his child. Effective fathers will actively pursue knowledge about what he can do to help his child blossom and prosper and also about danger signs to help his child avoid situations that could cause difficulties. Active and positive involvement by a father results in socially well adjusted children.

10. Requirement #7 continued
What are your thoughts on the role of a father in the family. Give several examples to support your thoughts.

11. Requirement #7 continued
Discuss with you counselor your understanding of the responsibilities of a parent.
Parents control the care and upbringing of their children. This includes where to live, what school to attend, what religion to follow and what medical treatment to obtain. Parents may punish and discipline their children with reason. Parents may be responsible for damages caused by their child. Parents are legally responsible for their children until they reach the age of majority, which is usually 18, marry, or leave the home to support themselves.