Families Today 1 Changes Affecting Families Today Changes

Families Today 1

Changes Affecting Families Today �Changes in society have caused major changes in families. � Before Industrial Revolution-families built their own home, made their own clothing, and grew their own food. Grandparents and family members lived nearby. � During Industrial Revolution-families left farms and moved to cities to work in factories, no longer producing their own goods. �The immediate family became very important for love and security. When these needs weren’t met within the family, divorce rates increased. 2

Changes in Family Roles �Until the 1700’s, parents were the only ones to meet children’s physical needs for food, clothing, shelter, and safety. � When children reached age 4 -7, they were expected to work long days in factories or on farms. Children were considered an asset because they helped the family earn money. (That’s why our grandparents and greatgrandparents had so many children). �Child labor laws put a stop to this, promoting children to lead the lives of children as we now think of children. 3

�When you think of the typical family, what type of family comes to mind? 4

Family Types 5

Nuclear �A father, mother, and their biological child or children who live together form a nuclear family. � Often thought of as the most common family in our society, however this is no longer the case. �Disadvantages: � Relatives do not live in the home �Children get less experience with other people �Relatives may be far away �Parents may not get along and child is exposed to arguing �Advantages: � Family members can easily share responsibilities � Children can see how spouses should act 6

Single-Parent Families �Single-Parent Families: Families headed by one adult � Parent death, divorce/separation, or adoption � On the rise, especially among never married �Women head most single-parent families, however single-fatherhood is on the rise. �Although both parents are legally responsible for providing financial support, often only one provides care, supervision, and guidance. �Many single parents feel overwhelmed with a lack of support. 7

�Well-adjusted children in a single-family home often have a very strong relationship with the parent. They also show more independence at an earlier age. They also are happier than children in unhappy two-parent homes. �Joint custody: Court ordered sharing of legal right to provide care and makes decisions about their children's lives. 8

Extended Families �Extended Families: More than two generations living together. � Very common in many countries around the world, however not nearly as common in the U. S � Disadvantages: �More people to deal with. �Decisions are made for the good of the family rather than the needs of each person. � Advantages: �Children learn to interact with people of all ages �More family history is shared �More people to share tasks with 9

Stepfamilies �Stepfamilies are formed when a single parent marries another person. � Very common �Families in which the children of both spouses will live with the couple are called blended families. � The Brady Bunch � Unique because stepparents need to relate to stepchildren, and stepchildren need to relate with each other. 10

Families with Adopted Children �Adoption legally ends the rights and responsibilities between a child and the birthparents. �Fewer birth parents plan adoptions now than in the past. Therefore there are fewer babies to adopt. Many children available for adoption are older, have special needs, are born outside the U. S. , or are living in foster/group homes. 11

Adoption Agencies & Independent Adoptions �An adoption agency is an agency licensed by the state to handle adoptions. The agency works out the details between the birthparents and adoptive parents. Final legal aspects of the adoption are handled in state courts. �In an independent adoption, a person, such as a lawyer or physician, works out the details between the birthparents and adoptive parents. � All independent adoptions are handled in state courts and thus follow state laws. �Foreign adoptions can be either agency or independent adoptions. 12

Adoption Options and Rights �Illegal market adoption: buying/selling a child for adoption. �Closed adoption: the identity of the birthparents and adopting family are not revealed. � The birthparents have a right to know about the type of family in which the child will be placed. � The state governs what information can be made available. Sometimes an adult who was adopted as a child cannot obtain information about their birth parents. 13

�Open adoption: Adoption that involves some degree of communication between the birthparents and adoptive family. � Very common today � Birth parents may pick and meet adoptive parents � Much easier for adopted children to realize the adoption decision was made in a loving way. � Easier for adopted adults to get in contact with their biological parents. 14

Adoption Issues �People wanting to adopt may be on a waiting list for many years, then one day they get a phone call that the baby will be ready the next day. �Parents do not have 9 months to prepare for parenthood. �Birthparents may want to see the child and become part of the child’s life. �Older children who are adopted may miss their birthparents 15

Foster Families �Provide temporary homes for children who cannot live with their birthparents. �They assume parenting responsibilities for the children until they are reunited with birthparents or placed in adoptive homes. �Children enter foster homes because of problems in their birth families. In cases of abuse the court intervenes to protect the children. � Children will receive counseling and treatment � The goal is to reunite the child with birthparents 16

Guardians �Guardian: Someone chosen by the biological parents to take responsibility for a child in the event of the birthparents; death or extended absence. � Usually a family member or close friend of the family. � Must be legally appointed by the court. 17

Family Life Cycle Family life cycle: 6 stage changes families progress through 18

Beginning Stage �The couple is a family of two. The couple is getting to know each other better. They decide when/if they want to become parents. � Couples in this stage without children will stay in this stage until they reach the mid-years stage 19

Childbearing Stage �The family grows as parents give birth to one or more children. �Parents learn their roles in caring for and guiding children through their earliest years. 20

Parenting Stage �This stage begins when a family is complete. �Parents focus on guiding and nurturing their children. �They are preparing their children to become productive members of society. �Children begin to learn more from teachers and peers, rather than just the parents. �Children are trying to gain more independence. � Parents begin to treat children as adults 21

Launching Stage �Children start to leave home to make their own lives. �Parents generally feel lonelier and as though their children no longer need them. �A new challenge occurs when grown children return home after the launching stage. � Becoming more popular 22

Mid-Years Stage �Parents may find more time for themselves than they did when their children lived at home. �Parents may devote more time to hobbies and interests. �The parents may now becoming grandparents. �The parents are focusing on retirement. 23

Aging Stage �This stage lasts from retirement to death of both partners. �The couple may pursue new hobbies and spend more time with family and friends. �They may have health concerns, therefore the entire family may need to make adjustments. 24

Role of Parents 25

Socialization �Children learn how to live in a group and interact with people by watching how their parents interact with other people. �Parents pass down values to their children. �Teaching how to socialize helps children learn how to fit into their culture. 26

Nurturance �Nurturance includes the physical aspects of child care, such as feeding, dressing, and bathing children. �Meeting social, emotional, and mental needs, such as helping children feel secure and loved. 27

Guidance and Discipline �Guidance: includes the words and actions parents use to influence their child’s behavior. � By showing children they are not upset when they do not get their way, parents are modeling good behavior. �Discipline: the use of methods and techniques to teach children self-control. � Children learn to act in ways that society finds acceptable. �Punishment: a consequence for a misdeed � Guidance and discipline teach children to think and act in safe and acceptable ways. 28

Types of Discipline: Power Assertion �Occurs when parents use or threaten to use some form of physical punishment or deny privileges. (corporal punishment) � The child fears the parent, as the child grows physically, fear lessens and the technique no longer works � Parents may threaten, “Don’t let me catch you doing that again!” therefore the child weighs the chances of being caught and how much trouble they will get in. The child is not be guided on right from wrong. � Double standard (I was told not to hit a friend so now I get hit? ? ) � Spanking? ? 29

Love Withdrawal �Parents threaten children or suggest some form of parent/child separation. � “I won’t love you” or “I’ll give you away” � Milder form would give ignoring or giving the child the silent treatment. � Considered emotional abuse. 30

Induction �Happens when parents discipline by reasoning and explaining. � Parents use logical consequences-if two children are fighting over a toy, the parent takes the toy away. Then the parent explains to the child why they should or should not use certain behavior. � Children disciplined this way tend to show better self- control, display more concern for others, and take responsibility for their own failures. 31

Parenting Styles Authoritarian, permissive, and democratic 32

Authoritarian �The main objective is to make children completely obedient. They expect children to respect authority with little or no explanation as to why they should obey. � These parents are likely to use physical punishment when children don’t behave. � Children may fear their parents and even rebel against them when they get older. � Not recommended by experts 33

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Permissive �Parents give children almost no guidelines or rules. Children should make their own decisions about right and wrong. � They don’t want children to feel unhappy or unloved, however many children feel lost without guidelines. � Children may have a hard time getting along with others later in life because they never had to follow rules. � Not recommended by experts 35

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Democratic(authoritative) �Parents set some rules, but allow children some freedom. �When rules are set, parents explain to children why the rules are needed. �Children may be allowed to help set some rules and decide some punishments. �Children learn self-discipline in a positive, encouraging setting. �Experts promote this form of parenting style. 37

Characteristics of Health Families �Signs of a healthy family: � Durability? ? : families ability to stay together for many years (however some families stay together even though they aren’t happy) � Spouses enter relationship with shared values � Accepting each other’s differences � Togetherness � Share responsibilities � Communication 38

Cultural Influences on Families �Culture: a way of life for a certain group of people. �Cultural diversity: More than on culture represent the people of a country (the U. S. is very culturally diverse) �Cultures differ in the way they view the concept of family. �The use and meaning of body language can vary from group to group. 39

Multicultural Families � Two or more cultural groups are represented. � Two people of different cultures marry and have a child together. � Things to consider when enter a multicultural relationship: � Verbal/nonverbal communication differences between cultures � Differing cultural expectations, roles, beliefs, and values � Differing traditions including religious beliefs, rituals, and holidays � Differing views regarding family life � Expressions of bias or exclusion from others, especially family members 40