1. Living in Families

2. Strength of an individual family depends on: Sense of commitment – pledge or promise of loyalty Time spent together Strong – Open Communication Coping Skills – techniques that help people solve a problem or adapt to a situation Appreciation for each other Shared beliefs and traditions

3. Family- a group or two or more people who care about each other and are committed to each other.  Members of a family usually live together and are related by marriage, birth or adoption. Family is every child’s first connection to the world.  As a child gets older, family provides a safe environment from which to explore –and to which they can return.

4. Four Main Types of Family Groups:  Nuclear- family group with two generations- father, mother and at least on child sharing the same household Adoption- legal process in which people obtain the permanent right to raise a child who is not biologically their own. Foster Care- a child whose parents or other close family members are unable to care for them. Temporary legal responsibility for the child.  Extended- family that includes relatives other than parents and children. – (also includes cousins – aunts – grandparents, etc.)

5.  Single-parent- one-parent and one or more children sharing a household. (never married – divorced – death)  Blended- married couple and at least one child from parent’s previous relationship. Family Life Cycle- a series of stages in a predictable order – timing and duration of these stages may vary widely from family to family

6. Trends Affecting Family Systems o Changing Family Roles o Mobile Society o Awareness of Family Values Healthy family system provides each member with – 1.Protection 2.Economic support 3.Emotional support 4.Sense of identity and acceptance 5.Opportunities for personal development 6.Socialization of children