Dysfunctional Patterns IntroduCtion Dysfunctional Patterns

Introduction DysfunCtional patterns In this topic we will be looking at and discussing the dysfunctional patterns that can impact on young people and their families. In particular which approaches and common values are important to the young person, the people who work with them and society in general and how to break the destructive patterns that can lead to social exclusion.

DYSFUNCTIONAL PATTERNS Patterns in families e.G. abuse Dysfunctional family A dysfunctional family is a family in which one or more family members endanger, physically or emotionally, other members of the family. Dysfunctional family communication patterns tend to spread throughout generations, because a child who grows up in a dysfunctional family is likely to utilize the same dysfunctional patterns when starting a family of her own.

DYSFUNCTIONAL PATTERNS Mental health issues Specific Learning Difficulties Honour killings Family patterns e.g. abuse These are the subjects we will be discussing in this topic. The cake is divided into four different “wedges”, where all of the parts have equal importance and link together under the heading dysfunctional patterns to help in the prevention of dropping out of education, which can lead to social exclusion and other issues.

DYSFUNCTIONAL PATTERNS Mental health issues Specific Learning Difficulties Honour killings Family patterns e.g. abuse

Concerns Why? What can I do? Who can I talk to?

David’s Story Personalising the Vision: David's Story David was born in one of the most deprived areas of Scotland to a mother who used drugs, drank and smoked throughout the pregnancy. He was brought up in an extended family none of whom have ever worked; 3 "uncles" have convictions for serious violence. Before he was 9 David moved or was rehoused 8 times, 4 times due to domestic abuse. David is one of the smallest boys in his year when he starts high school, in an area with high crime levels. He is soon truanting, involved in gang activity and identified as "outwith parental control"; he is known to various agencies including the police and social work. At 14, after a series of exclusions, he has left mainstream education. He drinks, takes drugs and abuses solvents. His family resist offers of help. At 15 he commits 3 assaults, theft, breach of the peace, robbery, steals 2 cars, commits various road traffic offences and is charged with attempted murder. While awaiting action to be taken for these offences, David visits the nearby city centre. David has been drinking and is carrying a knife. David bumps into complete stranger John and stabs him once in the upper torso. John dies 15 minutes later. David is sentenced to 7 years for culpable homicide. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/01/13095148/7

David’s Story David's story is a true story. It highlights a downward spiral from poor parenting and family environment into disengagement, youth crime, substance abuse and eventually murder. The diagram below highlights some of the opportunities to support the family and break the cycle of poor outcomes that David's story represents.

Interactive activity http://www.unboxifyme.com/article-quiz-how-dysfunctional-is-your-family/

Statistics and information UK: Since the early 1970s there has been a decline in marriage, and a marked rise in the numbers of lone parent families. The on going rise in family breakdown affecting young children has been driven by the dissolution of cohabiting partnerships. The majority of these are less stable than marriage (European data shows that by a child’s fifth birthday less than 1 in 12 (8%) married parents have split up compared to almost 1 in 2 (43%) cohabiting parents). The intergenerational transmission of family breakdown and its associated disadvantages is seen in the way children who have been neglected or un-nurtured are highly likely to go on to create dysfunctional families subject to further breakdown. Similarly there is an overrepresentation in teen pregnancy statistics of girls from fatherless and broken homes. Crime is strongly correlated with family breakdown - 70% of young offenders are from lone parent families and one third of prisoners were in local authority care (yet only 0.6% of the nation’s children are in care at any one time). Costs of family breakdown to the exchequer are estimated to be well over £20bn per annum.

Statistics and information Bulgaria: Divorce rate is lower than European average. Teenage pregnancy and early marriages are most common in the Roma community which is a cultural thing. In 2011 one parent families accounted for 12.7 % of the population, this statistic is on the rise. 80 % of drug addicts in “New beginning” therapeutic centre are from families with divorce, violence, alcoholism or a parent’s sudden death.

Statistics and information Germany: The number of blended families and one-parent families is continually rising traditional families: 9.4 million (1996) 8.6 million (2007) in 2011 about one out of three married couples got divorced nearly 150,000 minors became victims of divorce in 2011, the number is only slightly decreasing more facts and figures supplied by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden (www.destatis.de)

offices for social services, NGOs and school advisors. Germany: Bulgaria: offices for social services, NGOs and school advisors. Germany: there are all kinds of advice centres for people or families living in difficult situations: local drug advice centres juvenile probation officers and social workers supporting accused minors integration services for young migrants counselling services for indebted minors / young people family therapists

Italy: Sweden: there are family centres for younger children and social services UK: Addaction Yps Talk to Frank Social Services Barnados Working together with families NSPCC

This training program can be used by everyone who in their work come in contact with young people, and above all to personnel groups, often multidisciplinary, who will be able to, based on the same values and knowledge, cooperate in their work with young people at risk of social exclusion.

Thank you for your attention! This project was developed by: This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.