Dimensions of Human Behavior: Person and Environment Chapter 10 Families

KEY POINTS ADDRESSED Defining “Family” Trends in Family Life Charting Theoretical Perspectives by: KEY CONCEPT; NAME OF THEORY; THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE; ASSOCIATED AUTHOR; DESCRIPTION of THEORY; CHANGE TARGET; ASSESSMENT TOOLS Psychodynamic Social Behavioral Family Systems and Life Cycle Stress Models Multilevel Family Practice Strengths Based Diversity in Family Life: What We Need to Know About Social Class, Immigrant Families, Gay/Lesbian Families Chapter 10: Families

Defining Family: How do you know a “normal” family when you see one? Identify the members of Junior’s family. What characteristics or relationships helped you decide that these individuals were members of Junior’s family? In what ways does Junior’s family represent changing trends in today’s family life? The Family is a social institution that carries out certain obligations in meeting the needs of the society: Socialization Procreation Mutual support Chapter 10: Families

Trends in U.S. Family Life From a unit for economic production to a unit of economic consumption From reliance on kinship supports to individual self-sufficiency From a basis of economic support to basis of emotional support From a culturally deviant to a culturally variant perspective Chapter 10: Families

Trends in U.S. Family Life Medical advances and court rulings have made childbearing discretionary Unmarried cohabitation is no longer legally prohibited Divorce and remarriage have increased dramatically Number of stepfamilies and complexity of family live have increased Large numbers of women entered the paid labor force More families consist of at least two wage earners Chapter 10: Families

Trends in U.S. Family Life (cont) Average life expectancy has increased Care needs for elderly family members has increased Racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity have increased Autonomy and self direction, as opposed to obedience and conformity, in children holds greater value Power between men and women has been equalizing Chapter 10: Families

Charting Theoretical Perspectives: Family Systems, Task Centered

Charting Theoretical Perspectives: Family Life Cycle, ABCX Stress Model

Charting Theoretical Perspectives: Multi-level Family Practice, Strengths

Test Your Knowledge: Explain why each of the family theories are associated with a particular theoretical perspective… i.e. Why do we designate the Task Centered Approach within the Social Behavioral Perspective? Explain why traditional family therapy, which focuses on family-level change alone, is less effective with “isolated, impoverished, single-parent families” than with non-poor families. Chapter 10: Families

Diversity in Family Life Four dimensions to consider for describing and comparing similarities and differences among cultural groups: 1. Migration experience 2. Ecological context of family 3. Family organization 4. Family life cycle Chapter 10: Families

Diversity in Family Life: What We Need to Know About Social Class Children raised in a single-parent or remarried families: Can grow up physically, mentally, and psychologically healthy Are at higher risk for poverty and stress Tend to live more complex lives and often must cope with a variety of internal stressors Chapter 10: Families

Diversity in Family Life: What We Need to Know about Immigrant Families There are different patterns of immigration in different regions of the United States. By 2040, one in four residents of the United States will be immigrant (first generation) or the child of immigrants (second generation. The migration experience includes changes in social networks, socioeconomic status, and culture that result from migration. It is important to understand families’ countries of origin, settlement patterns, and immigration policy—including eligibility for mainstream or special education, health and mental health services, and other financial and social services and resources. Chapter 10: Families

Diversity in Family Life: What We Need to Know About Gay and Lesbian Families Lesbians and gays are bicultural. They have been reared and socialized in the dominant heterosexual culture and have internalized the norms, values, and beliefs learned in that culture. Gays and lesbians are part of a complex multigenerational family system consisting of a family of origin, a multigenerational lesbian/gay community, and/or a family of choice that consists of friends, partners, and/or children. Chapter 10: Families