Unit 4 NotesFamily dynamics

Chapter 14Family Life Today

Bell Activity

It has been said that a nation is only as strong as its families.

Do you feel this is true?How can families contribute to the strength

of a nation?

The Changing Family

Family roles and functions have changed throughout history in order to meet the changing needs of family members.

In early history, families hunted and gathered food in order to survive.

Family members filled roles that allowed the family to live off the land and to be protected from predators.

Permanent communities were not established because family groups were continually moving to find food.

The Changing Family

As agriculture evolved, families were able to set up permanent homes and to acquire land.

Each family was independent and able to meet their own needs by assigning family members various tasks to perform

With the industrial revolution new pressures were brought to the family and society.

Families moved from the rural areas to the urban areas.

Families no longer worked only to survive and for their own families.

Family members took jobs that served larger groups, but provided income to purchase food, clothing and shelter

Families became consumers.

Urban populations grew and rural populations declined. The Father was usually the main provider,

With this role he was limited to shorter times at home from his job

. The Mother, was usually the full time homemaker, and

provided care for the children

MARRIAGES WERE BASED ON MEETING PEOPLE’S NEEDS AS WELL AS ON LOVE.

The Changing Family

Technology : continues to affect families

More jobs available in many areas of technology development

Household care made easier with new and growing technologies

Women joining workforce in greater numbers

Child care needs began to be met by child care providers in homes, nursery schools, and child care centers

The Changing Families

Social Security Act: before inception of the act, many older adults were care for by their adult children and grand children.

Social Security Act and other sources of income help older adults live independently.

Family Functions

Families perform several basic functionsEconomic supportEmotional supportNurturanceEducationProtectionOpportunities for Recreation

Physical Needs

Families provide necessities of life:FoodClothingShelterFurnishings health careThe way these necessities are provided vary

from culture to culture

Physical Needs continued

Tasks include: preparing mealsKeeping the house cleanDoing laundry

Work out side the home to provide income

Emotional Needs

Families provide a “safe haven” for their family members

Family member s learn how to “give and take” of living together in a close relationship

In a loving home each person is free and encouraged to reach their potential

Nurturance

Families provide the environment for developing social skills of children

This prepares them to function in the outside world

Children learn about culture of the society they live in and how to function effectively in their culture

Nurturance

The family teaches its values to children and provides guidance as they learn right from wrong.

Children learn what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior so that they may become productive members of society

Education

From birth, children are taught the ways of their culture by their families

They are taught how to speak a language

How to eat, bath, dress themselves

How to get along with and other social skills

Education

Families convey or model their beliefs concerning religion

Many families will attend some form of worship service

Children may receive a system of religious beliefs and personal ethics that they will use their entire life

Procreation

Reproduction

Bring next generation into the world

Male-female bond forms foundation for parenting and family life across the cultures, forms of marriage may be very different

Our Culture values monogamy – (one husband one wife)

Procreation

Forms of marriage:In some cultures polygamy (many wives)is

acceptableIn some cultures the ability for a women to

reproduce is highly valuedIn our culture a women is seen as valuable

whether she can have children or not.Whether or not to have children is controlled

by the husband and the wife as well as how many children they will have

Procreation

In some cultures women are valued primarily for the number of children they can bring into the world.

These women are viewed as possessions of their husbands.

Women are denied education and careerstend to have a greater number of children.

Protection

Adult member of the family are responsible for the care of all its members

They are responsible for protecting their family from harm.

They are also responsible for encouraging their children to practice good health and safety habits

Form wholesome friendships and avoid situations where they are likely to become victims of crimes

Recreation

Recreational pursuits provide the family members with:

Time to enjoy each others companyRelaxationPhysical activityOpportunity to learn communication skills Learn good sportsmanship

Roles and Responsibilities

Family members have both given roles and chosen roles.

Each of these roles has roles includes certain responsibilities, though the specific responsibilities will vary among families.

Members of the families have certain roles.Given role: you acquire when you become a part of a

familyChosen role: role you choose such as a wife or

husband when you marry, or perhaps a mother or father.

Roles and Responsibilities

Roles are defined as responsibilities and how well you fulfill these responsibilities determines how well the role is carried out.

When all members fulfill their roles and responsibilities, communicate clearly, and treat each other with affection and respect, they contribute to a functional family system.

When responsibilities are not fulfilled and interpersonal relationships breakdown or deteriorate, the family become dysfunctional.

Characteristics of Strong Families

There are a number of characteristics that appear to be common among strong families.

Strong families: Communicate and listen to each otherSupport one another and respect individual

uniquenessTrust each other; spouses trust one another, parents

entrust their children with responsibilities, children trust their parents

Have a sense of play and humor; they laugh with each other and use humor to diffuse explosive situations

Characteristics of Strong Families

Exhibit a sense of share responsibilitiesRecognize right and wrong and guide

children in choosing behavior that is acceptable to the Family and society.

Believe in family traditions, they respect the cultural and ethnic traditions of other families

Realize the importance of healthy interaction among members, but respect privacy and foster conversation and sharing

Share a belief in the importance of a religious or philosophical foundation.

Characteristics of Strong Families

Believe in the contribution they can make to their communities. They work together for a good balance between emphasis on individual rights and acceptance of responsibilities to the community.

Family Structure

Nuclear Family: includes 2 parents and at least 1 child

Single-Parent Family: 1 parent and at least 1 child

Blended Families: a single parent marries another person. Stepparent and stepchild come into play

Family Structure

Extended Families: includes relatives other than a parent or a child who lives with them

Guardians: take all financial and legal responsibility for raising

Adoption: a legal process where a child lives with some one other than their biological parents

Foster Children: a child who lives in a temporary home until a permanent home is found

Family Life Cycle

Beginning Stage: separation from parents/adjustment to marriage

Childbearing Stage: focus on having & raising kids

Parenting Stage: kids are school age/focus on family & kids around school/activities

Family Life Cycle

Launching Stage: Children leave home for college, careers & marriage. Parents refocus on their relationship

Middle Years Stage: Preparing for retirement. Parents become grandparents

Aging Stage: Retirement/focus on friendships, hobbies, interest and travel