Family Relationships

Section 1 – Families Today The Family and Social Health If the relationships with family members are healthy, a child learns to love, respect, and get along with others and to function as a part of a group. **Do you agree that the family is the basic unit of society? Why or Why not? The Changing Family Three main factors account for changes in family: more women in the work force, a high divorce rate, and an increase in the age at which people marry. More women in the work force – when parents work outside the home, families spend less time together. The parents have to trust other people to care for their children. High Divorce Rate – divorce affects a family’s structure, finances, and health – emotional and physical. Family members have to adjust to new roles, relationships, and living arrangements. Divorce – a legal agreement to end a marriage. Postponing marriage – because many delay marriage and parenthood until later in life, families tend to be smaller.

Family Forms Children can live in nuclear, single-parent, extended, blended, or foster families. Nuclear family – consists of a couple and their child or children living together in one household. The children may be the biological or the adopted. Adoption – the legal process by which parents take another person’s child into their family to be raised as their own. Single-parent family – a family in which only one parent lives with the child or children. Extended family – a group of close relatives living together or near each other. Blended family – consists of a biological parent, a stepparent and the children of one or both parents. Foster family – an adult or couple cares for children whose biological parents are unable to care for them. The foster family provides a temporary home for the children. Other Families – Other groups of people could also be considered family such as a married couple with no children; a group of unrelated people who choose to live together, support and care for one another. **Think about which family forms most closely match your family and those of friends.

Responsibilities Within the Family Adults’ Responsibilities: Basic Needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, security and love. Socialization – teaching children to behave in a way that is acceptable to the family and to society. Children’s Responsibilities: Dressing yourself, cleaning your room, doing your homework Household chores Part-time job (possibly adding to the family income) Following the family rules and showing respect for all family members. Shared Responsibilities: Household chores such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. Caring for others in the home such as a younger sibling, the elderly, etc. **Most importantly, family members learn that the family is stronger when they work as a team and depend on each other.** ***What tasks are the adults responsible for in your family? The children? Shared?

Section 2 – Family Problems Causes of Family Stress – some sources of family stress are illness, financial problems, divorce and drug abuse. **Who can you turn to for help if you are experiencing a family problem? Family Violence – can occur in all kinds of families. The violence or abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. Physical Abuse – intentionally causing physical harm to another person. Sexual Abuse – when an adult uses a child or adolescent for sexual purposes. This is a criminal offense. Emotional abuse – the non-physical mistreatment of a person. Leaves victims feeling helpless, inadequate, or worthless. Neglect – when adults fail to provide for the basic needs of children. These needs include food, security, socialization and love. Runaways – a child who leaves home without permission and stays away for at least one night.

Section 3 – Keeping the Family Healthy Characteristics of Healthy Families: Caring and commitment Respect and appreciation Empathy – the ability to understand another person’s thoughts or feelings. Communication Cooperation Healthy Families Skills Resolving Conflicts – talk openly, honestly, lovingly; learn from one another; remember that good communication skills are key to conflict resolution. Expressing Emotions – express your emotions in constructive ways. Being able to say “I’m sorry,” “I love you,” “thank you,” also helps. *When you have an argument, how does the other person’s actions affect how you respond? Making Decisions – decision making skills involve choosing between two or more alternatives. Managing Time – find ways that families can spend time together and improve their relationships. *When you spend time with your family, what kinds of things do you do?

Getting Help for the Family – Even healthy families may be faced with times that can seem overwhelming. Asking for help is a sign of strength. Where to go for help: Family Agencies – public and private agencies offer help to families in most communities such as counseling, parenting classes, mental disorders, financial aid, food, health care, housing and other basic needs. Family therapy – therapists work with family members to find better ways to solve problems and improve family relationships. Support groups – a network of people who help each other cope with a particular problem and learn from one another.