1. Unit 1:
Family as Ecosystem
Lesson 2: Environments
Part 1: Functions

2. There are three types of environments associated with a family ecosystem:
1. The physical environment - the actual location incl. buildings the family associates with
space - outdoors
structures - buildings
location - town / city
2. The emotional environment - the feelings present in the family.
3. The social environment considers the interactions among members of the family as well as people outside of the family.
political
educational
health systems
The contributions made by each member of the family is important to the maintenance of each environment. For a healthy environment to exist, each family member must be involved.
Introduction

3. Lesson
The Vanier Institute of the Family indicates that families perform vital functions for society and for their members. These include providing support by meeting many of the needs of their members, such as physical and financial issues and preparing younger members for their roles in society. These functions can be grouped under one of the following:

4. Physical maintenance and care of family members
Physical maintenance and care of family members. Within healthy families, children, adults and seniors all receive the care and support they need: food, shelter, clothing, protection and so on. Where families are not available or are unable to provide these services, family members suffer and substitutes, usually inadequate ones, must be found.
Addition of new members through procreation or adoption and their relinquishment when mature. Society renews itself through families. For this function, there is, literally, no substitute.

5. Socialization of children for adult roles
Socialization of children for adult roles. Families prepare their children for life - teaching skills, values and attitudes that equip them to learn, work, form friendships and contribute to society.
Social control of members. This is achieved by maintaining order within the family and groups external to it. Within families, individuals learn positive values and behavior and receive criticism for negative ones.
Maintenance of family morale and motivation to ensure task performance both within family and in other groups. In this regard, families provide the glue that holds society together and keeps it functioning. Beyond providing mere social control, families, through love and spiritual leadership, inspire their members and others to keep trying.
Production and consumption of goods and services. Families provide for their own by producing goods and services like food, home maintenance and health care. As they strive to fulfill the needs of their members, they play a vital role in the national economy.

6. Discussion
Which member of the family is responsible for each of the following functions:
preparing meals
feeding the dog
cleaning the house
buying clothes
care of a sick child
paying the bills
washing clothes
repairs to house

7. Project
List ways that a family can contribute to the maintenance of healthy physical, emotional, and social environments.
Prepare a collage on the ways that family members may contribute to the sustainability of the family environment. Include some comments from family members about the functions they have. The comments may be presented in balloons around the collage.
Hand in!