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Family Values

22

Family Values

The idea of ‘The Family’ has changed considerably in the last few decades. The nuclear family –

consisting of mum, dad and a number of children is still commonplace, but increasingly children are

growing up in families supported by single parents, extended family members, foster carers,

step-parents and same sex parents.

More strain is placed on the family than ever before. The law recognises that families hold society

together and there is a need to strengthen families in order to reflect on social and economic trends.

Many organisations now have family friendly policies embedded into their structure to reflect

government requirements and to support families with maternity and paternity leave, flexible working,

adoption leave, parental leave and other steps to help provide a good work/life balance.

International Day of Families - 15th May

International Day of Families stresses the importance of families throughout the world’s communities and provides the opportunity to promote awareness and increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic issues that affect families.

Each year the day has a different theme and a wide range of events will reflect this. Awareness-raising events held on the International Day of Families include activities which highlight different areas of interest and importance to families through workshops, seminars and policy meetings, exhibitions and discussions, educational lessons for

children youngsters; and the launch of campaigns for public policies to strengthen and support family units.

Make a Difference to Children MonthThe aim of the month is to make a difference to children in four main ways:1. Choose at least one thing to do with a child to make a difference or impact on them.2. Support an organisation that focuses on children. It could be a local school, YMCA, boy or girl scouts.3. Inform policy makers to support initiatives that make children a priority.4. Tell other people about the campaign.

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Family Values

Sport ReliefSport Relief is a national fundraising event. Various activities are oragnisaed across the UK, with all funds raised helping to change lives in the UK and overseas. In the UK, funds help to assist homeless young people and those living with domestic abuse. Internationally, fund money also helps children in education and provides their communities with life-saving resources.

Children in Need Many other countries also have events to make a difference to a child or young person. For example, in the UK we have Children in Need each November which raises funds and awareness for children’s charities. There are also many other awareness and fundraising events organised by dedicated children’s charities throughout the year. Children in Needs’ vision:

Every child in the UK should have a childhood which is:• Safe• Happy and secure• Allows them the chance to reach their potential

‘We provide grants to projects in the UK which focus on children and young people who are disadvantaged. We are local to people in all corners of the UK and support small and large organisations which empower children and extend their life choices.’

Mothering Sunday Day and Father’s Day in the UKIn the UK, Mothering Sunday was traditionally the day when you would visit the church where you were baptised during Lent, but by the early 1900s it was largely unobserved. When the craze for sending cards was invented by Hallmark, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day underwent a reinvention, joining Christmas and Valentines’ Day as popular times to send a card. The U.S.A. introduced a Parents Day in 1994, sending a clear message about the importance of the role of parents in children’s development and integration into the wider community through the teaching of life values and skills.

Families Affected by DivorceChildren often suffer when the family is broken up by divorce. Often, in custody cases, the mother is favoured as the main carer and the father given visiting rights (depending on the circumstances of the divorce). When this happens, this can be exceptionally hard on the father. Fathers 4 Justice (F4J’s) was founded in 2000 by a father who was barred from seeing his children outside of a contact centre. F4J’s stated aim is to champion the cause of equal parenting, family law reform and equal contact for divorced parents with children. The charity is best known for its protest stunts, involving fathers dressed as super heroes.

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Family Values

AbortionUnsafe abortions are a major cause of injury and death among women worldwide. Although data is very imprecise, it is estimated that approximately 20 million unsafe abortions are performed annually.

Did you know?

Maternity and Paternity

The British government protects expectant mothers and their spouses in a working environment in many different ways. Whether you require financial help, emotional support or just some impartial advice, log on to their website for current and helpful information.

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/pregnancy-and-maternity-rights-in-the-workplace

The ‘One Child’ Families of China In 1979 China introduced the ‘one-child policy’ to alleviate population-related social issues. The policy is controversial both within and outside China as it has been implicated in an increase in forced abortions. If you are unlucky enough to not be exempt, you will find yourself outside of the law:

“In 2004 I found out I was pregnant…but I was very fearful since I did not have the Permit for Pregnancy; which, according to Chinese law, meant the baby was not allowed to be born. Eventually, the Family Planning government officials found out about my pregnancy. They searched all over trying to find and arrest me…. When several Family Planning government officials found me, they put me into a van. When I reached the abortion centre I saw hundreds of pregnant Moms there.”

Wujian, China Source: www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org

The Pro Life MovementSome states in the US have a prominent ‘pro-life’ movement opposing abortion and supporting its legal prohibition. ‘Pro-lifers’ argue that after conception, the human embryo is an individual with the right to life. The question of whether it is the woman’s choice to have an abortion is an extremely emotive subject in the United States, making passionate demonstrations and often causing political debate.

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Family Values

The Extended FamilyThe term ‘extended family’ defines a family that extends beyond the immediate family; consisting of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all living nearby or in the same household.

Around the world, in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Pacific, extended families are the basic family unit. Even in Western Europe, extended families are often the norm., although England has always been a rare exception with its’ family society having generally always been nuclear.

Types of Family

Polygamy and Polyandry Polygamy Is a marriage that includes more than two partners. When a man is married to more than one wife at a time, the relationship is called polygyny; this used to be practiced by the Mormons during the 1800s, and to this day is common in North Africa and the Middle East.

When a woman is married to more than one husband at a time, it is called polyandry. Polyandry is believed to have evolved in countries with scarce environmental resources, believed to limit human population growth and enhance child survival. Polyandry is still practiced in parts of the Himalayas in India, and in Sri Lanka.

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Family Values

Lisa gives her mum and dad a kiss and tells them that she loves them every day.

Dad usually plays golf on a Sunday, but this time he will watch his daughter’s ballet show instead.

Jack wants to go to a festival, but his parents will not allow it. Although he wants to go, he listens to their concerns and does not argue.

Lisa secretly ate Dad’s chocolate bar. When Dad came home from work, she told him and apologised.

Mum accidentally threw away something that was very important to Lisa. Although very upset, Lisa did not hold a grudge.

Mum sits with Jack and Lisa and helps them make carnival outfits for the school festival, and offers to help their friends too.

Every evening the family sits down to dinner together. Dad likes everybody to mention one thing that happened to them today, no matter how boring or silly.

Lisa has had a bad day at school and is upset. Mum recognises this, even though Lisa doesn’t say anything. Mum makes her hot cocoa to make her feel better.

It is Lisa’s responsibility to walk the dog in the evening, and Jack’s responsibility to wash the pots after dinner.

Every Sunday, mum bakes a cake and invites the grandparents round.

Belonging - It is important that each member of my family feel that they are loved.

Flexibility - Too much structure and unwillingness to compromise can result in a lot of unhappiness and resentment.

Respect - Acknowledging and valuing everyone’s thoughts, feelings and contributions.

Honesty - This is the foundation of any relationship that is meant to last.

Forgiveness - Keep in mind that everyone makes mistakes. Get issues out in the open and move on - life is too short.

Generosity - Being generous doesn’t mean simply handing over money. It also includes giving your time, love and attention.

Curiosity - Push your kids and even yourself to be curious about things. Ask questions and take an interest in each other.

Communication - Communication is a lot more than simply speaking your mind, it extends to tone, volume, expression, eye contact, body language and effective listening.

Responsibility - Responsibility is something that is learned. Setting out responsibilities for young family members instills this quality in adulthood.

Tradition - Traditions don’t need to cost anything. It can be as simple as a lazy Saturday morning sipping coffee and chatting. If you don’t currently have traditions in your family, create some.

How can you Improve your Family Values? Match the action to the family value.

Family Values

77

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Glossary

AbortionAn operation to terminate a pregnancy.

BaptiseThe practice of anointing somebody with water as a sign that the person has been accepted into the Christian faith.

DebateTo talk about something at length and in detail, especially as part of a formal exchange of opinion.

DemographicA group within a population representing statistics such as birth, marriage, disease and death.

DisadvantagedIn a worse position than somebody else.

EconomicRelating to money.

Emotive Causing or intended to cause emotion.

Exempt Freed from or not subject to something that is required of others.

Hallmark A popular greetings card company.

LentA period of 40 days before Easter observed in some Christian churches for sacrificing a luxury or fasting.

Nuclear family A social unit that consists of a mother, a father, and their children.

Mormon [Mormons] Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the fourth largest Christian denomination in the USA.

ScoutsA group for boys formed by Robert Baden-Powell, focusing on informal education with an emphasis on practical outdoor activities.

YMCA(The Young Men’s Christian Association)A centre where social facilities are provided by the YMCA for its members.

8 R7270 v2 18.07.2014

Family Values

Discussion Points

Have a think about the subjects covered:

What is your view on the role of families in

society?

How do you think the Equality Act supports equality

for parents and families?

Please be prepared to share your thoughts with your Learning Advisor on your next visit.

What are your views about the

UK adopting the American ‘Make a Difference to Children’ and ‘Family Reunion’ months and what advantages do you think

this would have in supporting family policies?

Links

Further Reading

Parents’ daywww.theparentsday.com/around-the-world/index.html

Make a difference to Childrenwww.kimratz.com/madtc.html

Family Valueswww.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/02/top-10-essential-family-values/

Maternity and Paternity Rightswww.gov.uk/browse/working/time-off

Employment Rightswww.acas.org.uk

Children in Needwww.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008dk4b

R7270 v4 10.02.2015

Congratulations!You have completed the learning for this module.

Please be ready to complete the discussion point section with your Learning Advisor on your next visit.