Living in Families

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

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.

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.)

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

Trends Affecting Family Systems

o Changing Family RolesoMobile SocietyoAwareness of Family Values

Healthy family system provides each member with –

1. Protection2. Economic support3. Emotional support4. Sense of identity and acceptance5. Opportunities for personal development6. Socialization of children