Chapter 18 Theoretical Bases for Promoting Family Health

Definitions of Family Vary by organization, discipline, and individual Most theorists agree that definition of a family includes: Two or more individuals who share a residence or live near one another Possess some common emotional bond Engage in interrelated social positions, roles, and tasks Share a sense of affection and belonging

Universal Characteristics of Families Every family is a small social system. Every family has its own cultural values and rules. Every family has structure. Every family has certain basic functions. Every family moves through stages in its life cycle.

Attributes of Families as Social Systems Families are interdependent. Families maintain boundaries. Families exchange energy with their environments. Families are adaptive. Families are goal-oriented.

Question Is the following statement true or false? The definition of a family is universal.

Answer False The family is defined in many different ways depending on the organization, discipline, or individual.

Family Culture Definition: The acquired knowledge that family members use to interpret their experiences and to generate behaviors that influence family structure and function Family members share certain values that affect family behavior. Certain roles are prescribed and defined for family members. A family’s culture determines its distribution and use of power.

Family Structures Dramatic changes in structure Decrease in number of marriages Increase in non-married couples living together Divorce rates Increase in births outside marriage Husband, wife, and children living together Two general categories (see Table 18.1) Traditional Contemporary

Traditional Family Structures Nuclear family Nuclear-dyad family Single-adult family Multigenerational families Kin-network Augmented family Blended family Single-parent Commuter

Contemporary Family Structures Unmarried single-parent family Cohabitating partners Commune family Group marriage Group network Homeless family Foster families Gangs

Question Which of the following would a community health nurse identify as a traditional family structure? Commune family Foster family Commuter family Homeless family

Answer c. Commuter family A commuter family is an example of a traditional family structure. Commune, foster, and homeless families are examples of nontraditional or contemporary family structures.

Family Functions Providing affection Providing security and acceptance Instilling identity and satisfaction Promoting affiliation and companionship Providing socialization Establishing controls

Family Developmental Tasks Life cycle progression depends on developmental tasks; ongoing throughout life cycle Establishing a mutually satisfying relationship Adjusting to pregnancy and parenthood Fitting into kin network Adapting to critical needs of children at all stages Fitting into the community Balancing freedom with responsibility Releasing young adults into work Adjusting to retirement (see Table 18.2)

Family Life Cycle Two broad stages Expansion Adding new members Increase in relationships Contraction Members leave Starting own lives or dying More specific phases within each stage (e.g., launching of children, retirement of parents)

Emerging Family Patterns Adolescent unmarried parents Gay and lesbian families Divorced and blended families Older adults

Question Is the following statement true or false? Developmental tasks of the family are important but not crucial to the family’s progression through the life cycle.

Answer False Progression through the life cycle depends on the achievement of developmental tasks, which are ongoing throughout the life cycle.

Internet Resources Family Health International: http://www.fhi.org/en/index.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Family Health): http://www.cdc.gov/Family/ National Institutes of Health – Adventures in Parenting: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/adv_in _parenting/index.cfm National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/policy/foc usareas/families