Chapters 11 & 12 The Impact of Technology & Balance Work and Family Life

Technology & the Family  Through technology new products and tools change the world daily. These changes affect families in a number of ways.  Technology is one of many resources that a family has. It can make family life better or it can conflict with the family’s goals and values. How families manage technology has a huge impact on how these families function.

Let’s take a look at some of the changes in technology that affect families

Family entertainment Positives:  DVDs, DVRs, MP3 players, iPods, iPads, video and computer games. Through the Internet, people can play video games with people on the other side of the world Challenges:  The impact of entertainment on the family. The impact may be positive or negative, depending on how the family looks at technology. Do Tvs, computers, and video games divide families when members are involved for hours at a time?  Does outside entertainment such as movie theaters or amusement parks pull family members from home more than is reasonable?  Do people neglect the quiet pleasures of nature or reading because they want more thrilling entertainment?

Family Health & Safety Positives  How people prepare and eat food  There have been improvements to the preserving, shipping and handling of foods.  Technology has produced leaner meat and low cholesterol eggs. Challenges  Eating on the run can mean families are not together.  Family ties may weaken when families do not eat together.  Fast food-it is readily available, but is NOT healthy for us.  Foods are now contain synthetic ingredients, which means they’re produced by chemical means.

Exercise Positives  Technology has made exercise equipment readily available in homes and health clubs. Challenges  Technology can lead to an inactive lifestyle. (people sit rather than exercise)

Security & Protection Positives  Security systems are installed in homes, offices and cars.  Air bags and children’s car seats make travel safer  Fire rescue arrives quickly in emergencies Challenges  none

Family finances Positives:  Technology affects how people deal with their money. ATMs provide cash at any time of day. Families can pay bills online. Debit cards pull $ from accts without having to write a check.  Software programs help manage money  These records can help people plan and budget better Challenges  Technology makes matters more complex. Instant access, or availability to cash or credit, can cause trouble. It can lead to debt and spending $ without thinking. Debt is easy to create and hard to get out of.

Housing Positives  Reduce energy-advances in technology help reduce energy use in the home.  Heat and AC are more efficient  More natural products are being used in household goods  There are more items made from recycled items  Household management becomes more convenient. (“smart” homes where computers control many devices) Challenges  none

Family Communication Positives  Families are linked to each other and the world by modern communication.  No missed calls  Mobile-cell phones allow you to walk and talk  Families can keep in touch more than ever before. Challenges  Cell phones can be disruptive  Conversations are no longer quiet  Accidents while driving  Computer chat rooms may be dangerous

Can you think of other problems connected to communication technology? How can these problems be managed?

Check For Understanding  1. Describe 5 areas in which technology can affect families.  2. Identify 3 challenges that can be created by communication technology.  3. Explain technology issues that impact society as a whole.

Technology in the workplace  Technology has drastically changed in the workplace. Computers, for example, perform every kind of function at great speed. Laptops are replacing desktops. This lets people work faster and more efficiently from many places.  Wireless networking means people can work at distance. Many people can work from home. Many of them telecommute.  Technology also allows people to become entrepreneurs. Computers can now do what used to require teams of people and special equipment.  Technology means that workers need to be flexible, and open to change.

Society and technology Positives  Many communities use technology to help people. Computerized traffic lights helps reduce traffic jams and accidents.  Communities often grant their citizens access to their technology resources. Libraries may allow you to borrow CDs, DVDs, and computer games. Many cities have wireless Internet networks available. The use of technology raises questions for society like “what are the costs?, what are the benefits? Which innovations will strengthen society? Which will weaken it? Which will make life easier?”

Society & Technology Cont. The Information Society  We’re living in an information society where the main economic activity is creating and distributing knowledge. Through computers and the Internet, people have instant access to every kind of knowledge. People can get data from around the world. This free flow of info helps people at home and at work. Challenges  To know what is a fact and what is not. Management of , viruses and spam can be a concern.  Identity theft/privacy of information  Technology is intrusive.

Chapter 12: Balance Work & Family  Jobs and Family Life-there’s an interrelationship. A job that produces a family’s income is usually a big commitment of time and energy. Combining that and a household is work; it can be like having 2 full time jobs. Problems occur when one person bears too much of the burden. Even when workloads are shared equally, managing life at home and on the job can still be a challenge.

Family Life affects Jobs  Home pressures  Family problems  Lack of family training  Discuss the scenarios/examples given for each. How are their personal lives affecting their jobs?

Jobs affect family life  Job loss  Relocation  Work challenges  Difficult work schedules  Work stress  Discuss the scenarios/  examples…

Management at Home  A balanced life depends on how the work is shared at home. Family members may have negative feelings that no one else is aware of. Finding out may be the first step to better family management. It may also be the first step to a happier family life.  Families can work together to manage work at home.  Family members benefit when they each do their assigned jobs cheerfully. They should try to cooperate and accept responsibility. This will help build positive feelings among other family members. These feelings can lead to better relationships.

Activity: My Chores at Home  List all of the jobs or tasks that you complete at home. Evaluate the consequences of the work you do at home. Who does it benefit, and how? What specific effects does your work have on family relationships and family management? Write a short paragraph in which you focus on 1 household chore for which you are responsible and explain how your completion of this job benefits the family as a whole.

Tools for managing  A family calendar  Family meetings  Family Bulletin Board  childcare

Activity: Meal Management foldable  Plan and shop  Prepare  Schedule  Involve everyone  Eat together  Clean up

Activity: Problem solving with Ed  Discuss: Each Sunday, Ed made up a list of jobs for the week and delegated those he felt suitable to his 2 sons. At their regular Sunday night family meeting, he would explain the boys’ responsibilities for the upcoming week and post the list. Ed then spends the next 6 days nagging his sons to cooperate and do their jobs well. Identify possible flaws with Ed’s method of dividing household tasks. What factors might he fail to consider when assigning work? How should his sons respond if they have problems with their father’s decisions?

childcare  To find childcare, parents can talk to family, neighbors, or physicians. Social service agencies have lists of licensed childcare providers. These people have met local and state guidelines. There are 3 main types of childcare available:  In home care  Family childcare homes  Childcare centers

Activity: Write a dialogue  Imagine you are a working parent in search of a childcare provider for your 4 year old. You have interviewed several candidates. Write a dialogue that depicts you interviewing the best candidate, the one whom you will hire. What questions will you ask, and how will the candidate answer them?

Other ways to deal with childcare  Adjusted work schedules  After school supervision  Employer programs

Other ways to balance your home/work life  Help from others (family, friends, neighbors)  Community services

Check for Understanding  5. Identify situations at home that can affect job performance?  6. Employers value workers with a good work ethic. Describe what good work ethic is and what employees can do to show their work ethic.  7. Describe the benefits of a job with flexible work hours.  8. List 3 tools that can help in family management.  9. Suggest ways families can use help from others to balance work and family life.