Chapter 2

The Diversity of Families

Learning Outcomes
* Define the term “family”: A group of two or more people who reside together and
who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
* List and describe the five stages of parenthood:
* Examine the diversity of families:
* Identify and explain the four parenting styles:
* Discuss social issues that affect families today:

Families
The Definition of Family
* U.S. Census definition of family:A group of two or more people who reside together
and who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
* Difference between family and household: Family is related, a household who who
occupies a housing unit, doesn’t have to be related.
* Family: A group of two or more people who reside together and who are related by
birth, marriage, or adoption.
* Household: All people who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence.
* Different types of households (refer to Figure 2-1): Women living alone, men living
alone, other family households, married couples without children, married couple
with children.
* Importance of family in the socialization of children
The Survival of Society Depends upon Families
* Families have different ways of being
* Families cope with each of their situations
* Role of the extended family
* Importance of understanding a family’s cultural and socialization practices

The Stages of Parenthood (Galinsky, 1987)

Parents go through stages during parenthood:
* Image making: Images are formed and preparation is made for the birth.
* Nurturing:Parents and infants begin to develop their relationship through
different types of interactions such as breastfeeding, playing, reading, singing,
and just holding the baby.
* Authority: Families teach children rules and consequences.
* Interpretive: parents and children learn to interpret their social reality.
* Interdependent: Parents during this stage learn to reinforce authority in order to
help children grow emotionally but responsibly.
* Departure:This is when others reassure parents that if they trust in the values
instilled in their children.

The Diversity of Families

Type of Family
* The Single Parent Family:
* The Teenage Mother
(and/or teenage father)
* The Two-Parent Family Experiencing Homelessness
* The Two-Income Family
Examples
* Mother or Father
* High school students

* Different living arrangements that are not permanent

* Both parents working (any and all socioeconomic backgrounds)
The Diversity of Families Cont..
Type of Family
* The Immigrant Family

* The Grandparents Family

* The LGBT Family

Examples
* Documented or undocumented
* Grandparents raising grandchildren; reasons differ
* Same sex families with children
The Functions of Families
Swink’s (1986) roles of families

* Nurturing: Family supplies the basic needs of nutrition, protection, and

shelter as well as the emotional needs of interaction, love, and support.
* Guiding:
* Problem solving:
* Modeling :
Parenting Styles
Family Type
* Authoritative: Children will learn to make decisions. They will be allowed to
recognise the issues confronting them.

* Authoritarian (may be overprotective): The children do not get an opportunity to

resolve a conflict or learn from actions, except to learn that punishment will follow
no matter what the situation.

* Laissez-faire (might be indulgent): Children feel ignored. Get little guidance from
the parents. May feel depressed.

* Dysfunctional: Most likely abusive, parents will have trouble with the law and/or
drugs.
Characteristics
* Democratic decision Making, self-discipline, parameters
* Demanding parent, absolute rules, restrictive
* Anything goes, neglectful
* Addictions, abusive, mentally ill
Social Issues Affecting Families Today
* Role of Fathers: Fathers are companions, standard setters, guidance counselors,
play partners, teachers, providers, caregivers, and role models.
* Divorce
* Blended Families:
* Families Heading by Grandparents:
* Poverty:
* Homelessness :

Social Issues Affecting Families Today

* Fatherhood
* Research on Father Involvement: The fathering indicator framework provides
six positive fathering indicator categories: father presence, caregiving,
children’s social competence, cooperative parenting, father’s healthy living,
and material and financial contribution.
* The Importance of Fathers: A fathers physical play largely benefits the child’s
socio-emotional development.
* Suggestions for Fathers:Be there, accept your child, use positive
parenting, share parenting, see fathering as worthwhile and satisfying, be
there for your children.
* Involving Fathers in Schools and Centers: Many children do not have
fathers, so the role of a father figure is very important.

Social Issues Affecting Families Today

* Divorce
* Divorce Causes Changes in Families: Effects of divorce on children are
related more to the previous situation and the subsequent events that affect
the child than to the divorce itself.
* Children’s Responses: Some children are more reliant than others. Children
will bring their distress with them into the classroom.
* Single-Parent Families: Learn parent names. Communicate with them by
calling the parents by their correct names.
 Social Issues Affecting Families Today
* Blended Families:Families can have as many as 30 configurations.
* Blended-Family Cycle:Fantasy, parents visualize new marriage will provide a
living family. Restructuring, The airing of differences occurs. and solidifying,
contact, during which intimacy and authenticity in real relationships are
formed.
* Families Heading by Grandparents:Not intended. Happens more often in lower
socioeconomic status.

Social Issues Affecting Families Today

* Poverty link
* The Changing Face of Poverty:Half of the nation’s poor are African American
or Latino.
* Poverty’s Casualties: There are about 15 million children living in poverty in
the US.
* Ways to Counteract Poverty: A decent standard of living, flexible working
conditions, an integrated network of family services, legal protection for
children outside and inside families, a place to live, preferably on their own.

Social Issues Affecting Families Today

* Homelessness Link
* It’s a pretty real condition that isn’t addressed much due to our area of living. These places are
very important for families to come to grab a bite to eat or have a place to stay. I wish there were some
more programs that would help these families find a job.

* The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act:Ensures

homeless families with children have access to education.
* Authorized Rights for Students Who Are Experiencing Homelessness:
Children who are homeless must have the same education services provides
to their peers.
* Ways to Counteract Poverty: Give students an equal opportunity to
education as their non-poverty peers.
* Concern for Children Experiencing Homelessness: Children who are without
homes also have a higher risk of nutritional deficiency and other health
problems.
* Parents’ Desires: 4.1 parents or persons acting as parents will have a face-to
face conference with the teacher, guidance counselor, or social worker with
30 days of enrolment. 4.2 Parents or persons acting as parents will be
provided with individual student reports informing them of their child’s
specific academic needs and achievement on academic assessments
aligned with state academic achievement standards. 4.3 Parents or
personas acting as parents will report monitoring or facilitating homework
assignments. 4.4 Parents or persons acting as parents will share reading
time with their children 4.5 Parents who would like parent skills training will
attend available programs. 4.6 Parents or guardians will demonstrate
awareness of McKinney-Vento rights. 4.7 Unaccompanied youth will
demonstrate awareness of McKinney-Venney rights.
* Programs for Homeless Families : Homes for Homeless developed the
American Family Inns, where parents and children can live for a year,
establishing stability, and allowing the parents to be self-sufficient.