Family is the basic makeup of the world This course allows students to examine the

history of the family in a variety of cultures from the beginning/origins of the “family” to contemporary Canadian family

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Changing social values

Canadian legislation has extended the legal definition of family from the original concept (based on heterosexual marriage and biological links to children) to include:

Step parents Unwed fathers Co-habitation Unmarried and married homosexual partners

Based on the government's definition of the family, consider what changes may happen to the institution of the family in the next few decades...

Charter of the Rights of the Family

B: family is based on marriage – between man and woman – freely contracted – publically expressed – indissoluble (can not be dissolved) - open to the transmission of life

E: a community of love – teach cultural, ethical, social, spiritual, and religious values essential for development of its members and society

How does the Catholic Church’s view come into play as the roles within the family change over time?

...any combination of two or more persons who are bound together over time by ties of mutual consent, birth and/or adoption or placement and who, together, assume responsibilities for the following functions of the family...

Function Description Benefit to Society

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Families have children through birth, adoption, and may also use the help of fertility clinics, etc.

Benefits to Canadian Society: -Population increases -Economy may improve (increased demand

for goods/services)

Bathing children, feeding family, taking older parents to appointments, etc.

Benefits to Canadian Society: -Individuals within the population stay

healthy -Members will be able to contribute to

society (especially when in good health)

Teaching children language, taking them to school, helping with homework, taking children to cultural activities, church, etc.

Benefits to Canadian Society: -Individuals will have the skills, knowledge,

values, and attitudes consistent with employability and citizenship expectations

-People will be educated, find careers, have their own families, earn money

Teaching children right from wrong, discipline, etc.

Benefits to Canadian Society: -Individuals will obey the laws of the society

and country

Family members comfort children when crying, support them in making decisions, etc.

Benefits to Canadian Society: -Individuals will care for others in society -Individuals will develop strong relationships

and raise their own families

Parents or guardians earn money through work/careers, perform household chores, pay bills, buy food and clothing, provide shelter, pay for activities, etc.

Benefits to Canadian Society: -Parents provide for their families -Families contribute to society (economically) -Families provide goods or services (through

skills and employment) -Families require goods and services (and will

pay for them)