Your Family Ties Chapter 19

Lesson 8Your Family Ties

Key TermsNuclear familySingle-parent familyBlended familyExtended familyInter generationalNurtureSocializationFamily life cycleSupport system

Objectives

Compare different family forms.Explain the primary functions of families.Describe the traditional family life cycle and its variations.Assess the effects of current social trends on family life.Give examples of ways to strengthen families.Families TodayAll families share certain things in common, such as the basic responsibility of caring for their members.When you think about families you know, you can probably recognize several different forms of families.Families Today continuedThe most basic family form is the nuclear family, consisting of a husband , wife and their children.A single parent family is headed by one parent. Some single parents have never been married; some are widowed.

Families Today continuedMost single-parent families, however are formed when parents are separated or divorced from one another.If a single parent remarries, a blended family is formed.Blended families can include children of each spouse, plus new children of the couple.Families Today continuedThere may be variations within these family forms. For example, children may join the family by either birth or adoption.

Some families, include foster children who have been temporarily placed in their care.

Families Today continuedThe extended family is a larger family group-not only your parents and siblings but also your grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

The family that includes children, parents, and one or more grandparents living under the same roof might be referred to as inter generational, since it includes three generations.Family functionsThroughout history and in every society, families have served an important purpose.

They nurture family members by providing the care and attention needed to promote development.

Family functions continuedFamilies provide the structure in which children learn to become independent and to live successfully in society.

The characteristics and qualities of these new adults influence what society as a whole is like.

Meeting Physical NeedsThe most basic responsibility of families is to provide for family members physical needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Infants and young children are entirely dependent on the physical care provided by families.

Meeting Physical NeedsAt times, others in the family may also need special physical care due to an illness, accident, or disability.

Physical needs include responsibility for health and safety.

Parents must make certain their children eat nutritious foods and receive appropriate health care.

Meeting Physical NeedsParents also need to set rules for children to keep them safe and teach them responsible behavior.Promoting Intellectual DevelopmentThe family is a child first teacher- sharing knowledge, stimulating thinking, and encouraging creativity.Parents, siblings, and other family members can all help a young child learn.Even after the child is in school, the family needs to remain actively involved in his or her learning.Parents can learn from children, too. Such as a child helping their parent use a computer.

Meeting emotional needsFamilies nurture an emotional development by showing love and acceptance.Being loved and accepted by your family helps you develop a positive self-image and high self-esteem.It enables you to show love and affection for others.Meeting emotional needsFamilies also teach children how to express their emotions in acceptable ways.In a strong family, emotional bonds last a lifetime.Whenever family members are facing difficulties, they feel confident their family will be willing to listen and help.

Encouraging Social SkillsThe process of socialization begins in the family.Socialization means learning how to interact with other people. The family teaches basic social skills such as communication, cooperation, and respect for others.Encouraging Social SkillsThe social skills that children learn in the family carry over into their other relationships throughout life.Some social skills are taught directly, such as when parents teach young children to say please and thank you.More often, children learn social skills by observing and following the examples set by others.

Encouraging Social SkillsEven very young children pay attention to how adults in the family interact with each other and with people outside the family.Everything children hear or see-words, tone of voice, body language-helps form their idea of appropriate behavior.Thats why being a good role model is such an important parental responsibility.

Instilling Moral ValuesFamilies help children develop values that will be a basis for their actions and decisions throughout life.Children need to learn the importance of honesty, respect, fairness and other values . Individuals and society benefit when people have a healthy sense of right and wrong. Instilling Moral ValuesAs with social skills, families teach moral values both directly and by example. With very young children, teaching focuses on behavior.Two year olds follow the rules because it helps them get what they want.Instilling Moral ValuesWhen they are older , they learn the reasons for the rules.

By age ten or twelve, children have learned to show respect and consideration for others.

The Family Life CycleThe Family Life CycleFamily researchers know that families go through a process of growth and change over the years.They name this process the Family life Cycle. The life cycle model cant reflect all variations, but it does give a general picture of how families must adapt to changing situations and priorities.The Family Life CycleBeginning Stage:

Two people marryEstablish a home and learn to live togetherPriorities include: building their relationship working out their respective roles setting goals for the future.The Family Life CycleParenting Stage:

Couple becomes parentsPriorities focus on raising childrenHave less time for activities as a coupleThe Family Life CycleLaunching Stage:

Children begin to leave home and become independent.They must adjust to new responsibilities.Parents must learn to relate to them as adults.The Family Life CycleMiddle age stage:Children leave homeParents have more time to focus on being a couple again.Reassess their careers,Take up new hobbiesBecome involved with communityPreparing for retirementThe Family Life CycleRetirement stage:Retirement gives more time for leisure activities.TravelMove to smaller home/retirement community.Health and independence are major concerns.Other situations..Some couples dont have children.Some marry and become parents later in lifeStages may overlapDivorce and remarriage cause families to repeat certain stages.Some people of retirement age keep working and perhaps even start new careers.Trends Affecting FamiliesEvery family experiences changes and many of the changes result from social trends. Here are some of the trends affecting family life today:Roles and responsibilitiesTraditional model:Father earned the family incomeMother took care of the home and family

In todays society usually both parents work and share responsibilities.

Trends Affecting FamiliesSmaller familiesLong ago: average number of children was sevenlarge families were necessary for helping with the farm.Today many couples: postpone or pass up having children.Average number of children per family is currently less than two.Trends Affecting FamiliesDivorce and remarriage:Compared to 50 years ago, more marriages today end in divorce.

When people with children remarry, everyone in the blended family must adjust to new relationships.

Trends Affecting FamiliesSingle-parent households:Most of these are headed by women, although the percentage headed by men is increasing.Single parents face the challenge of raising their children alone while working to support the family.Having the sole responsibility makes it hard for the parent to spend time with friends or build new relationships.Trends Affecting FamiliesLonger Life SpansPeople are living longer than in the past.They are healthier and activeMany adults are the primary care givers for both their aging parents and their own children.These folks are referred to as the Sandwich GenerationTrends Affecting FamiliesIncrease mobility

Today families are highly mobile.Most common reason to move is job change or promotion.Major disadvantage is being separated from the extended family.Trends Affecting FamiliesAdvances in technologyCell phones, emails, instant messaging makes it easier for families to stay connected.Technology has helped many people have the opportunity to work out of their home.Trends Affecting FamiliesDownfallSpending more time on electronic entertainment leaves less time for real family interaction.

Strong Family ElementsRespectCommunicationTrustEmotional SupportSharing Support SystemsStrong Family ElementsRespect:

People in strong families respect each others abilities, needs, and opinions, even if they dont share them.They accept and appreciate their differences.

Strong Family ElementsOther ways to show respectListen to and consider others points of view.Follow rules your family sets for you.Ask before you borrow someone elses property.Give others the privacy they need.Be considerate of others feelings. Avoid negative comments.Strong Family ElementsCommunicationEffective communication is basic to all relationships and family relationship are no exception.Schedules and plans have to be made therefore communication is a must.It is impossible to develop closeness without open, honest communications.Ways for families to communicate:Post your schedule on a boardHave family meetings

Strong Family ElementsTrustWhen theres trust you can count on your familys help and support.Parents trust teens to do what they are supposed to do, even when the parents are not around to enforce the rules.Building trust in families is a two-way street.If you want your parents to give you their trust, you must show them that you are trustworthy.Strong Family ElementsEmotional SupportEmotional support includes words and actions that are positive and reassuring.When people face challenging situations and need confidence, knowing that someone believes in them makes a difference.You can show emotional support in little ways everyday.Strong Family ElementsSharingSharing is one of the first lessons that children learn, and it remains an important tool for strengthening family ties.One way of sharing is to work together toward common goals.

Strong Family ElementsDividing responsibilities helps a family function efficiently and lets everyone make a contribution. Family traditions can help create a sense of shared identity and history.Simply to spend time with family is perhaps the most important way of sharing.

Strong Family ElementsSupport SystemsA support system consists of all the people and organizations a family can turn to for help.Having a support system is especially important when challenging situations occur.Strong Family ElementsA support system usually starts with the extended familyThen the community can also be a resource you can depend on.Schools and places of worship are also a part of the support system that a family may need to use.Your Role of The FamilyAs a teen in the family your responsibilities may be changing.You may be expected to help more around the house.At the same time you may also be more active in obligations outside of the home.Your Role of The FamilyFinding time to balance the family and friends can be challenging.You will need to find time to plan ahead so that you can continue to be involved with family matters.Strong families are the foundations to strong communities.