FAMILY

DEFINITION

• Families come in many shapes and sizes. Who do you include when you talk about "your family" ?

- Previously studied types:

- Nuclear

- Extended

- Dysfunctional

- Traditional

Primary functions of the family :

• from the perspective of children:

the family serves to bring up children, to educate them socially and morally

• family should provide a save, loving, supportive environment

• from the point of view of the parent(s):

the family is a family of procreation, the goal of which is to produce off-springs

• harbour, providing economical, social, emotional stability and certainty.

Family tradition(s)

• also called Family culture, is defined as a set of attitudes, ideas and ideals, and environment, which a person inherits from his/her parents and ancestors.

• Practices, beliefs, stories, customs which are handed over from one generation to the next generation

- A conjugal family

- includes only the husband, the wife, and unmarried children who are not of age. The most common form of this family is regularly referred to in sociology as a nuclear family

- A consanguineal family

- consists of a parent and his or her children, and other people.

- Other types:

- A matrifocal family

- consists of a mother and her children. Generally, these children are her biological offspring, although adoption of children is possible in nearly every society. This kind of family is common where women have the resources to rear/bring up their children by themselves, or where men are more mobile than women.

Modern family types

One-parent family

Foster

Adoptive

Step family

Childless family

Homosexual family

One-parent family

A single parent (also lone parent and sole parent) is a parent who cares for one or more children without the assistance of another parent in the home.

Single parenthood may occur for a variety of reasons:

-it could be the result of a divorce, adoption, artificial insemination, surrogate motherhood, or extramarital pregnancy), or be the result of an unforeseeable occurrence (such as death or abandonment by one parent).

Childless family

A childless family is simply a group of people who, for whatever reason, have never had children.

some wanted to have children but were unable to because of a variety of social and/or biological reasons(infertility). Many childless families choose not to have children because they concentrate on their careers, or like to travel.

To replace children, childless families usually have pets instead.

Homosexual family

Only a small minority of gay and lesbian households have children.

(see the next presentation)

Social enviroment

A person’s social environment includes their living and working environment, educational background and the communities they are part of.

All these have a powerful effect on health, both physical and mental.

Types of Family Problems

Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or phobias

Illness

Communication problems

Domestic violence

Anger

Addiction

Divorce

Infidelity

Intolerance of differences

Inability to manage or resolve conflicts

Financial difficulties

Sexual abuse

Unwanted separation due to job or personal demands

Peer group

Peer groups are an important influence throughout one's life, but they are more critical during the developmental years of childhood and adolescence.

For example:

If the parents have extra jobs and are not around (unavailable), their children may turn to their peer group for emotional support.

This also occurs when there is a conflict between parents and children and the child often feels helpless and seeks closeness elsewhere.

Children often turn to a group simply because that group accepts them, even if the group is involved in illegal or negative activities.

Gang involvement - most youths who join gangs come from families where drug and alcohol abuse, financial burdens, and broken relationships are common.

The need for affiliation or closeness is often greater than the need to "do the right thing" for some adolescents who feel isolated and abandoned by members of their own family.

Being part of a gang provides such individuals with acceptance and security not available at home or in other peer groups.

Peer groups and positive influence

Many parents have known for years:

the influence of friends can also have a positive effect on academic motivation and performance.

Influence of culture

The character, personality, and identity of a person are shaped through many different means

Family (role models)

Peers

Media, culture

Education

However genes also play a significant role

CHILD PROTECTION

Family and its members should protect children and provide a save place for them to grow up. However, statistics show that most children are harmed by people close to them. (caregivers/caretakers)

If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting may protect the child and get help for the family. (inform CPS)

What is child abuse?

Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible sign, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse or child neglect, also leave deep, long lasting scars. Some signs of child abuse are subtler than others.

As said not all child abuse is obvious. Ignoring children’s needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, or making a child feel worthless or stupid are also instances of child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious emotional harm.

Types of Abuse

physical abuse

neglect

sexual abuse

maltreatment

emotional abuse

Recognising Child Abuse

The Child:

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance

Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes (not Learning and others disabilities)

Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen

Lacks adult supervision

Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn

Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

The Parent:

Shows little concern for the child

Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child's problems in school or at home

Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves

Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome

Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve

The Parent and Child:

Rarely touch or look at each other

Consider their relationship entirely negative

State that they do not like each other

How does it feel?

Abused children cannot predict how their parents will act. Their world is an unpredictable, frightening place with no rules.

Whether the abuse is a slap, a harsh comment, stony silence, or not knowing if there will be dinner on the table tonight, the end result is a child that feel unsafe, uncared for, and alone. 

Emotional child abuse

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me“. Contrary to this old saying, emotional abuse can severely damage a child’s mental health or social development, leaving lifelong psychological scars. Examples of emotional child abuse include:

Constant belittling, shaming, and humiliating a child

Calling names and making negative comparisons to others

Telling a child he or she is “no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake."

Frequent yelling, threatening, or bullying.

Ignoring or rejecting a child as punishment, giving him or her the silent treatment.

Limited physical contact with the child—no hugs, kisses, or other signs of affection.

Exposing the child to violence or the abuse of others, whether it be the abuse of a parent, a sibling, or even a pet.

Child neglect

Child neglect—a very common type of child abuse—is failing to provide for a child's basic needs, such as adequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision. Child neglect is not always easy to spot. Sometimes, a parent might become physically or mentally unable to care for a child, (due to a serious injury, untreated depression, or anxiety), other times, alcohol or drug abuse may be the reason.

Warning signs of neglect in children

Clothes are ill-fitting, filthy, or inappropriate for the weather.

Hygiene is consistently bad (unbathed, matted and unwashed hair, noticeable body odor).

Untreated illnesses and physical injuries.

Is frequently unsupervised or left alone or allowed to play in unsafe situations and environments.

Is frequently late or missing from school.

Warning signs of physical abuse in children

Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.

Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for something bad to happen.

Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a hand or belt.

Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements, or seems afraid to go home.

Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as long-sleeved shirts on hot days.

The shame of sexual abuse makes it very difficult for children to come forward. They may worry that:

others won’t believe them

will be angry with them

that it will split their family apart.

Because of these difficulties, false accusations of sexual abuse are not common, so if a child confides in you, take him or her seriously. Don’t turn a blind eye!

Warning signs of sexual abuse in children

Trouble walking or sitting.

Displays knowledge or interest in sexual acts inappropriate to his or her age, or even seductive behavior.

Makes strong efforts to avoid a specific person, without an obvious reason.

Doesn’t want to change clothes in front of others or participate in physical activities.

An STD or pregnancy, especially under the age of 14.

Runs away from home.