Lesson 1: The Family

Introduction: The family is the basic unit of society. It is the group in which people live their lives and in which people bring up children. A healthy family provides us with love and support. It also teaches us lessons about building a good family relationships which we use when we establish our own family. When people begin their own families, they tend to

A. Values, Attitudes and Beliefs in Having a Big or Small Family

In this country, the large family has traditionally an average of four or more children. Parents derive satisfaction from having children who will perpetuate their names and their sources of comfort during old age. With large families composed mostly of children under 15 years of age, Filipino parents find it exceedingly difficult to make both ends meet. The rapid population growth has led to the scarcity of essential commodities and increase in prices. The few visible signs of progress are quickly overtaken by massive problems, the few

Having a small family has many advantages. The muchneeded attention and guidance of the children can be given by the parents. Their basic needs and guidance of the children can be given by the parents. Their basic needs such as food, clothing, housing and education, can be adequately provided. The children are healthier because nutritious food in sufficient amounts can be given. The house has enough space to live and move around, and the expenses for

In large families both parents are usually forced to work and leave the children to the eldest child or to maids. Proper guidance in bringing up the children are generally left to the maids or sometimes to the neighbors. There are so much financial worries which can strain the relationship of husband and wife. Children have reasons to quarrel because of limited food, clothing, space, toys, privacy, and many other things. These children are usually deprived of the attention and affection

B. Types of Families
Regardless of type, any family can be healthy and happy.

1.Nuclear family/Traditional family is composed of a father, mother, one or more children. The father typically works outside the home while the mother stays at home to attend to household chores and take care of the children.

2. A couple family - has on the husband and wife living at home.

3.Extended family includes relatives who are not part of the nuclear family but who live in the same home. They may be grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, or cousins. The Filipino family is an example of an

4. A single- parent family a family in which only parents lives with the children. The single parent may be separated, divorced never- married or widowed.

5. A blended family results when separated/divorced parents re-marry or a widower parent remarries. The parents and the children in their previous marriages combine to form the blended family.

C. Characteristics of Healthy Families

1. Respect for Family Members means valuing what is important to another person.

2.Shared Responsibilities means every member of the family should have responsibilities appropriate to their age and abilities. Responsibilities help each family member to feel important or valuable.

3.Good Communication is an important factor to a successful family relationship.

4.Emotional support means a healthy family provides emotional support to its members.

Example: A daughter who did not make it to the pageant, a husband or wife who seeks support when going through difficult time at work, or for financial assistance.

5.Ability to Manage Change it is when a healthy family manages change in the household. Examples: new responsibilities must be assumed Family rules must have to be

Marriage And Parenthood