Understanding Family Dysfunction: Effects on Development

1. Social factors affecting development UNIT 1, LEARNING AIM B4

2. Think… • In what ways can being a part of the family help you develop… • Physically? • Intellectually? • Emotionally? • Socially?

3. Being a part of a family group can help you to develop by… • Forming your first emotional relationships and attachments • Providing your first experiences of social interaction • Influencing your view of what is expected of you in social settings, and what is socially acceptable behaviour • Meeting your physical needs for protection, food, shelter and warmth • Supporting you emotionally and protecting you from stress • Helping you financially or practically

4. Family dysfunction • A dysfunctional family is a family that is not providing all of the support and benefits associated with being in a family. • Reasons why a family may become dysfunctional include: • Stress – could be financial, health or work issues • Poor parenting skills • Family members may try to manipulate or control others in the family • Children may be neglected • Inconsistency in disciplining children, so they are confused about how to behave socially • Untreated mental health issues • Alcohol or drug abuse • What consequences might there be from growing up in a dysfunctional family environment?

5. Family dysfunction Parental divorce or separation Sibling rivalry Bandura explored the impact of role modelling and imitating behaviour in his social learning theory Constant exposure to family conflict could lead to a child becoming aggressive and displaying bullying behaviour towards siblings Rosenthal & Doherty (1984) suggest that children who are in rivalry with their siblings have often been bullied by their primary caregivers Some parents will encourage competition or even conflict between siblings, either deliberately or inadvertently • Children or adolescents whose parents are separated can experience emotional problems such as low self-esteem and self-confidence • These can lead to depression and emotional distress • Many children feel a sense of abandonmentor guilt when their parents split up • Children of divorced parents may be at a higher risk of engaging in risky behaviours such as underage drinking, smoking or sex • They may also experience problems at school • They could become withdrawn

6. Recall what is meant by the term “family dysfunction” and the issues surrounding parental divorce and sibling rivalrycompare the four parenting styles and their effects on childrenidentify the four types of bullying and examine their effects

7. Family dysfunctionParenting styles (Diana Baumrind (1960s) Authoritative Authoritarian Parents have very high expectations, with strict rules and regulations Children in these households are often rebellious and may become problematic both in the family home and in wider social settings • Parents are not overly strict • Children are brought up to respect authority and develop appropriate values and boundaries • There is mutual love and respect • Children in these households are often more resilient and conform more easily to the social norms of society

8. Parenting styles Permissive Uninvolved/neglectful Parents are not involved in the lives of their children They make little or no demands and lack responsiveness Children will feel abandoned and isolated They may have difficulties with trust and may hide their emotions They may have very low confidence and self-esteem • Parents make few demands and may be reluctant to implement rules or values • Children will often lack a sense of self-control because they have no set boundaries or respect for personal space • This could lead to problems in managing relationships and adult responsibilities

9. Consider the scenarios below… • Tim is 14 years old. He enjoys being out with friends and is allowed to get home late. He is often rude to his parents, but they do not take action because they feel that he “will grow out of it”. • Katie is 11 years old. She is doing well in school. Her mum talks to her about her homework each evening and she is encouraged to finish it before seeing her friends. • Identify the parenting style • used for each young person.

10. Parenting style quiz… • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29hzaoWOksE • Write the parenting style for each clip on your mini whiteboards 

11. Bullying • Bullying can be described as repetitive behaviour intended to hurt an individual emotionally and/or physically. • Many children experience bullying at school, but adults can also experience bullying behaviour. • Think about the different forms of bullying (there are four) • Give examples of each

12. Bullying can take different forms • Verbal: using words to hurt • Emotional: causing psychological hurt • Physical: using force • Cyber bullying: using technology to hurt

13. The psychological and psychiatric effects of bullying in later life: • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aHTHGjQ628 • Make notes of any key points as you watch the video

14. Effects of bullying Short-term effects Long-term effects A significant psychological effect on development, including: Difficulties in forming relationships Poor academic achievement Substance misuse Self-harm Increased risk of suicide • Inability to cope with life events • Poor self-image • Stress & anxiety • Withdrawal from school, work and activities • Eating disorders • Low self-esteem

15. The influence of culture and religion • Diet • Dress • Morality • Lifestyle • Relationships • Personal values

16. The influence of culture and religion Medical interventions Dietary restrictions The most common dietary differences encountered in health care are vegetarianism, halal and kosher diets. Faith-based dietary practice includes the food itself, the way it is prepared and served, and not being allowed to eat certain items. • Most faith groups emphasise the importance of prayer as part of the healing process • Some religious groups reject medical intervention for certain procedures • For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that blood transfusions, even if needed to save a life, are not to be permitted. In some cases, doctors have undertaken legal proceeding to ensure that children can receive a life-saving blood transfusion. • This affects many areas of care, for example pregnancy and childbirth, where there is a risk of haemorrhage. • Some cultures, particularly Eastern, sometimes reject Western medicine and treat their ailments with their own remedies. For example, many older Chinese people will use traditional or herbal remedies.

18. Think about… weight,nutritional deficiencies,malnourishment, low fat diets, high fibre diets etc.

20. What social & emotional effects could result from culture & beliefs? Positive effects Negative effects People are discriminated against because of their values, beliefs or religion People feel excluded because of their values, beliefs or religion A person’s culture is ignored or not understood • People share the same values, beliefs and religion • People feel accepted and are supported by others • People feel valued by others because of their values, beliefs and religion