What is a Family?

1. What is a Family?

2. What is a family anyway?

3. “Family” • Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and usually reside in the same dwelling place” • A “universal” idea

4. Why do we live in Families? 1- For protection • Includes shelter, food, clothing, and financial support, providing for an education • To protect emotionally- feelings of belonging, teaches about love, relationships, how to handle anger, show sympathy

5. 2- Provides Identity • We are given “family names” • Our family’s reputation are often transferred to other members in the family • Happens less now with understanding of the diversity of families

6. 3- Provides socialization • The learning process of how the larger society functions • Family sets standards within the family • Covers morals, values, norms, manners

7. Functional versus Dysfunctional • Functional: family members fulfill their agreed-upon roles and responsibilities, treat each other with respect and affection and meet each others needs

8. Dysfunctional: main family functions are absent • Examples: parent with an addiction, neglectful parents, teenager who steals, family that screams at one another

9. Consequences of Unhealthy Families • Alienation and fear (in the house and in society) • Violence and crime • Lost productivity • Costs of medical care for victims, policing, courts and prisons • Costs of social support systems