Family Dynamics

JournalTopic: Family Dynamics Date: 11/20/13For each of the following pictures, write 5 things that come to

mind about the family/ family dynamic. Basically, write the first 5 things you think about the pictures.

# 1 # 2

Family Dynamics Journal # 3# 4

Family Dynamics Journal # 5

# 6

Family Activity 1. We need to make a class list of 6 things that are the “building blocks” of a strong family dynamic.

2. Next we will make 4 families with 4 family members each.

3. Write one “building block” on each of the cups from the list we came up with.

4. Each member takes a string connected to the rubber band.

5. You will work together to pull on your strings to open and close the rubber band. You need to stack the cups in a 3,2,1 pyramid. NO USING YOUR HANDS!

6. After you complete the pyramid, only try with half of your family members helping…how about 1 person doing it alone?

Family Activity Journal Questions:

1. What do the cups represent?2. What do the strings represent?3. Which attempt to complete the pyramid was the easiest?

Why?4. How does this whole activity apply to families?

No matter what type of family dynamic you have, the building blocks to maintaining a strong family structure remain consistent. Families are very interconnected and to make the structure work well, all members need to

have an active role in helping the family keep those building blocks sturdy.

Functions of the Family

• Meeting Basic Needs– Families need to make sure that basics

along with health and safety needs are met.• Food, clothes, shelter, take care of when

sick, etc.

– Strong families meet emotional, social and intellectual needs.• Be loved, cared for, receive help, etc.• Learn how to share & take turns.• Family is child’s 1st teacher.

– Teaches language, rules, morals

• The family’s expectations, support, and involvement in learning affect success in school.

Functions of the Family• Preparing Children to Live in

Society– By learning how to live with others

in the family, children are prepared to live with others in society.

– Adults teach children what is important to people in their society by passing on their values. • Through example• Through communication• Through religious or moral training.

Change In Contemporary Family Dynamics

• # of relationships b/w generations is increasing. – Four- and five-generation

families are common

• Families having less children • More relationships in families

are adult oriented. – Parents know kids 3-4x longer as

adults than children

• More grandparents are raising grandkids, then in turn:– More grandchildren are taking

care of their grandparents later

• The "sandwich" generation is caught in the middle of dependent parents and dependent children.

• Children today are more likely to experience deaths of older people– In past, young died a lot too

b/c of lack of health care

Types of Family Structures

– Nuclear– Single Parent– Extended– Blended– Step Families– Working Parents– Older Parents– Childless Couples– Teen Parents– Adoption

Nuclear FamiliesIncludes a mother, father and at least one

child. There are 2 parents to help raise the children.

Single-Parent

– Includes either a mother or a father and at least one child. • Dues to death, divorce or never

marrying.

– Custodial Parent• The parent that the child lives with in

the case of a divorce.

– Usually have less income, little free time, and tends to be more demanding.

– No one to share responsibilities with.

Extended Families

– Includes a parent or parents, at least one child, and relatives other than a parent or child who live with them.

– Examples:• A grandparent may

live with a nuclear family.• An uncle or aunt may

live with a single-parent family.

Blended/Step FamiliesFormed when a single-

parent(s) marries another person.

To the child the new spouse becomes a step-parent.

To the couple, each child of the new spouse is a stepchild.

If the spouses have children when they marry, these children become stepbrothers and stepsisters to each other.

As the stigmas against divorce and remarriage continue to dissolve, more stepfamilies are coming together.

Working Parents

The decision to go back to or to start working after a child is born is difficult.

Usually it is because there is a need for more income.

Often there’s guilt of missing children’s stepping stones

Child care is expensive!

Older Parents

Parents who decide to have children later in life, whether by choice or unplanned

Pros and Cons: Usually more stable

with $ Know what they

want Stable in relationship Less energy Could pass away

earlier in child’s life

Childless Couples

Couples who decide not to start a family with children included.

This could be from pregnancy problems or just personal choice.

Often these couples use the extra time and money to pursue life dreams and focus on their own relationship

Teen Parents

Young parents; with most cases these are unplanned pregnancies

Social stigma is lessening today Teens are less financially stable

Statistics are against them for finishing school/college More times than not, teen fathers want to be involved, they

just do not have the knowledge of how to parent and help.

AdoptionParents who legally take custody of a child

Very long and tedious process

Many different types : open, closed, foreign, agency, private, etc.

What might adoptive parents go through that is different than parents with “birth” children?

Adoption Guest SpeakerMr. Bivin- LZHS teacher and department chair is coming in to speak with you all about the adoption process. He adopted a little girl from china in early 2000’s.

Come up with any 2 questions you have about the adoption process, his story, parenting an adopted child, etc.

At the end of his presentation, if your Qs haven’t been answered go ahead and ask him!