Family Characteristics FT – Chapter 3 TEKS 7, A-E

Chapter Sections Section 1 – Looking at Family Structures Section 1 – Looking at Family Structures Section 1 Section 1 Section 2 - Family Personality Section 2 - Family Personality Section 2 Section 2 Section 3 – Stages of Family Development Section 3 – Stages of Family Development Section 3 Section 3

Looking at Family Structures: Objectives: Explain why the images people often have of family are not always realistic. Explain why the images people often have of family are not always realistic. Describe various family structures. Describe various family structures.

Images of Families What is a family “supposed to look like?” What is a family “supposed to look like?” Images – the mental pictures of what you believe something is like Images – the mental pictures of what you believe something is like Where do your images of what a family is come from? Where do your images of what a family is come from? –Some come from families portrayed in the media – television, videos and movies. –Others come from the real families around you

Families in the Media Typically portray an ideal, or perfect, image. Typically portray an ideal, or perfect, image. What you see on TV begins to seem like the way real life is for others. What you see on TV begins to seem like the way real life is for others. Real families are VERY different, from each other and from the media images. Real families are VERY different, from each other and from the media images.

Real-Life Families Most families don’t show “real” life to outsiders. Most families don’t show “real” life to outsiders. –What you see may appear wonderful, but your picture is incomplete. You may wish you had a family similar to a friend’s, but you may soon discover that the “other side of the fence” isn’t as green as you thought. You may wish you had a family similar to a friend’s, but you may soon discover that the “other side of the fence” isn’t as green as you thought.

Real-Life Families Your family may not be like the ones on television or the rest of the families you know, yet you can find something special there. Your family may not be like the ones on television or the rest of the families you know, yet you can find something special there. The reality is that different doesn’t necessarily mean better or worse… The reality is that different doesn’t necessarily mean better or worse… … it simple means different!

Family Structures “Traditional Families” A couple in their first marriage, raising their biological children, with a male breadwinner and female homemaker. A couple in their first marriage, raising their biological children, with a male breadwinner and female homemaker. Does this type of family still exist? Why/why not? Does this type of family still exist? Why/why not? Child Stats.govU.S. Census Bureau

Family Structures Single People Unmarried, no kids Unmarried, no kids May come and go as they please May come and go as they please Time to devote career and interests Time to devote career and interestsCouple Childless/no kids Childless/no kids A close bond may be easier to develop A close bond may be easier to develop

Family Structures Nuclear Families  A family with a husband, wife, and one or more biological/adopted children  Couples usually prefer to handle most leadership situations together

Family Structures Single-Parent Families  One parent and one or more children  Results from:  Divorce  Never-married people may adopt or become pregnant  Desertion or death of spouse It is estimated that over half of all children today will spend part of their childhood in a single-parent home. It is estimated that over half of all children today will spend part of their childhood in a single-parent home.

Family Structures: Single-Parent Families Single Fathers It is one of the fastest growing family patterns in the U.S., making up about 16% of all single-parent households. Between , the number of men living with their children but with no spouse increased from 400,00 to 2.1 million. About ½ of single fathers are divorced – –Today divorced men are more likely to ask for and get custody 1/3 were never married The rest are separated or divorced

Family Structures Blended Family  Consist of two adults, one or both who have children from a previous relationship.

 Stepparent – a person whose spouse has children from an earlier relationship Family Structures

Extended Families  Includes all the relatives in a family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Family Structures Adoptive Families a mother /father who are raising a child and are not the biological parents a mother /father who are raising a child and are not the biological parents Foster Families a family that has taken care of a child for short/long periods of time until they either return home or find a home Does the relationship between children and their birth parents differ from that of children and adoptive or foster parents? Does the relationship between children and their birth parents differ from that of children and adoptive or foster parents? –If so, how? –Should they be different? Why/why not?

Family Structures Legal Guardians One who has financial and legal responsibility for the care of a child One who has financial and legal responsibility for the care of a child –May result from parent’s death –Parent is unable to care for the child

Family Personality Objectives: Describe characteristics that contribute to a family’s personality. Describe characteristics that contribute to a family’s personality. Summarize ways the families make decisions. Summarize ways the families make decisions. Discuss the role of interdependence, dependence, and independence in healthy families. Discuss the role of interdependence, dependence, and independence in healthy families.

What is Family Personality? All the characteristics that combines to make a family unique give the family a personality. All the characteristics that combines to make a family unique give the family a personality. The atmosphere in the home, the way the family makes decisions, how members relate to each other, and the family’s goals and values are all part of it’s personality. The atmosphere in the home, the way the family makes decisions, how members relate to each other, and the family’s goals and values are all part of it’s personality.

Different Family Atmospheres The pace may be relaxed and organized, casual and friendly, or formal and distant. The pace may be relaxed and organized, casual and friendly, or formal and distant. As long as people feel loved and secure, the atmosphere doesn’t matter. As long as people feel loved and secure, the atmosphere doesn’t matter. In healthy families, the atmosphere allows people to make the best of themselves and each other. In healthy families, the atmosphere allows people to make the best of themselves and each other.

Family Decision-Making A family’s personality is linked to how they make decisions. A family’s personality is linked to how they make decisions. Not all families decide the same way. Not all families decide the same way. The way people make decisions reflects, in part, how they relate to each other. The way people make decisions reflects, in part, how they relate to each other.

Family Decision-Making Styles Authoritarian Authoritarian Democratic Democratic Permissive Permissive

Authoritarian   Strict in rearing their children; strong leaders  Parents decide the rules, inform the children of them, and then enforce them.  Parents are predictable.

Authoritarian Characteristics  Parents show little or no flexibility in their handling guidance or discipline.  Parents see themselves as the authority figure.

Democratic  Considers the child’s needs and their own point of view when making decisions.  This parenting style is also called authoritative.

Democratic Characteristics Parents and children work together to set rules. Parents and children work together to set rules. –Children are expected to conform to these rules Patterns of parent behavior are predictable most of the time. Patterns of parent behavior are predictable most of the time.

Democratic Characteristics Principles of guidance and discipline are generally discussed by parents and children. Parents see themselves as leaders in helping their children learn to share in the responsibilities for the well-being of family members.

Permissive Generally permits a wide range of behavior. Generally permits a wide range of behavior.  Parents set few rules and allow children much freedom and self- expression.  Patterns of parent behavior are somewhat difficult to predict.

Permissive Characteristics  Parents may change their guidance to meet individual situations.  Parents expect their children to make many choices and face the consequences of their decisions.

Identifying Family Decision-Making Styles Eight-year-old Claire received some money as a gift and wanted to spend it. The toy she had in mind seemed like a waste of money to her mother. Eight-year-old Claire received some money as a gift and wanted to spend it. The toy she had in mind seemed like a waste of money to her mother. Which style does each response most reflect? Which style does each response most reflect?

Identifying Family Decision- Making Styles “I know that toy seemed fun at Nickie’s house, but it doesn’t look very sturdy. We’ll go to the store so you can see other toys you’ll like as much. I think we can agree on something that makes good use of Grandma’s money.” “I know that toy seemed fun at Nickie’s house, but it doesn’t look very sturdy. We’ll go to the store so you can see other toys you’ll like as much. I think we can agree on something that makes good use of Grandma’s money.”

Identifying Family Decision- Making Styles “No, that’s not a good way to use your money. I want you to save half of what Grandma gave you. You may spend the rest on something else.”

Identifying Family Decision- Making Styles “You may buy what you want with your money. It’s up to you”

Interdependence in the Family Interdependence – a feeling of mutual reliance Interdependence – a feeling of mutual reliance Knowing you can rely on each other feels good. Knowing you can rely on each other feels good. Family members spend time together, sharing feelings and activities. Family members spend time together, sharing feelings and activities. Family members are close but each member is still open to the outside world. Family members are close but each member is still open to the outside world. Members are encouraged to make decisions for themselves and to explore relationships with others. Members are encouraged to make decisions for themselves and to explore relationships with others.

Finding a Balance A good balance between independence and dependence is the goal. A good balance between independence and dependence is the goal. Dependent people – rely too heavily on others Dependent people – rely too heavily on others –They avoid taking action on their own. –They want decisions made for them.

Finding a Balance Dependent families may shy away from the outside world. Dependent families may shy away from the outside world. Their needs blend, making them less aware of their own individuality. Their needs blend, making them less aware of their own individuality. Children don’t easily learn to take care of themselves. Children don’t easily learn to take care of themselves.

Finding a Balance In independent families, members follow their own path all the time and closeness can’t be develop. In independent families, members follow their own path all the time and closeness can’t be develop. These families miss out on the joys and pleasures of a satisfying family life. These families miss out on the joys and pleasures of a satisfying family life.

Finding a Balance Families that function well blend the best of dependence and independence. Families that function well blend the best of dependence and independence. All members learn to stand by each other while developing the ability to participate in the outside world. All members learn to stand by each other while developing the ability to participate in the outside world.

Family Goals Goal – is something you plan to be, do, or have, and you are willing to work for it Goal – is something you plan to be, do, or have, and you are willing to work for it They are based on the unique values and needs of every family. They are based on the unique values and needs of every family. Having clear goals helps keep a person on track. Force you to think about where you’re headed and what steps are needed to get there.

A Combination of Qualities A family is like a puzzle with hundreds of pieces. A family is like a puzzle with hundreds of pieces. Each person brings a special personality to the group. Each person brings a special personality to the group. The combination creates a unique result. The combination creates a unique result.

Stages of Family Development Objectives: Describe the stages of family development common to many families. Describe the stages of family development common to many families. Identify the concerns and challenges of each stage of development. Identify the concerns and challenges of each stage of development. Identify exceptions to the typical pattern of family development. Identify exceptions to the typical pattern of family development.

Stages of Family Development Social scientist describe a basic pattern of development that follows predictable stages as a family moves from life as a couple, through parenting, and into the later years. Social scientist describe a basic pattern of development that follows predictable stages as a family moves from life as a couple, through parenting, and into the later years. This is often called the family life cycle. This is often called the family life cycle. The cycle is a general one, however, many exceptions exist. The cycle is a general one, however, many exceptions exist.

The Family Life Cycle  Beginning Stage Occurs during 20’sOccurs during 20’s Couples learn to live as a coupleCouples learn to live as a couple

Newly Married Newly Married Roles:Tasks: Husband Wife may share many responsibilities may both be wage-earners Develop patterns for interacting with each other Learn to solve problems & resolve differences together Set goals, plan for future

The Family Life Cycle Parental Stage Parental Stage –Expanding –Developing –Launching

Roles: Roles: Tasks: Tasks: Roles may change: double wage-earner single Roles may change: double wage-earner single (one parent home with child) Caring for young children Providing increased income for extended family budget Need for more flexible roles as issues arise Expanding Husband / Father Wife / Mother Child pregnancy & birth of first child continues through toddler, preschool & elementary years

Developing Developing Roles: Roles: Tasks: Tasks: Husband / Father Wife / Mother Child Teen Young adult children reach adolescence oldest may move out on his or her own Parents begin to let go of some responsibilities Teens begin to gain responsibilities Open communication between ALL family members is essential

Launching When the children leave home and become independent When the children leave home and become independent

Middle Age (Age 40-60)  Empty Nest  Sandwich Generation

Empty Nest Empty Nest Roles:Tasks: last child is independent and living on his or her own Parental roles change drastically Children become independent—some marry & begin their own family life cycle Parents may become involved in grandparenting Parents often find new hobbies/interests Couples renew husband/wife relationship Roles may reverse for older generation (taking care of their own parents) Husband / Father Wife / Mother

Sandwich Generation  Middle-aged parents who care for their own family and their aging families

Retirement Retirement Roles:Tasks: Husband Wife after one or both retire from career May develop new interests/hobbies Many have planned ahead financially for this stage Focus returns to oneself & relationship with each other Self-esteem may decline due to lack of “purpose” Health and financial problems can arise Role reversal can occur children acquire “parental” role

Death of a Spouse Death of a Spouse Triggers the end of the Family Life Cycle Adjustments: financialself-esteem healthtime emotionalpriorities Involvement is important: family friends hobbies special groups acquiring pets church