1. The Role of the Family

2.  Family: the basic unit of society.
 A healthy family freely expresses mutual love and
respect.
 If members communicate effectively with one
another they are providing support and
encouragement.
 The family helps to develop values, self-confidence,
responsible decisions, and work to achieve goals.
What Is a Family?

3.  A healthy family strives to promote the physical,
mental/emotional, and social health.
 Physical Health: Food, clothing, and shelter—skills
needed to live safely in their environment
 Mental Health: express thoughts/emotions. Positive
self-concepts (view a person has on themselves)
 Social Health: Develop a value system, team
players/accept differences
The Importance of Family

4.  Your family is more then just the people you live with,
extended family—your immediate family and other
relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins.
 Children and teens have rules and responsibilities
 These rules and responsibilities help to guide children
and teens into adulthood.
Dynamics of Family Roles and
Responsibilities

5.  Communication is one of the most important ways to
build and maintain healthy family relationships.
 Ways you can strengthen your family:
 Demonstrate care and love: through words and
actions
 Show support, especially during difficult times:
Minor or traumatic experiences (such as death in the
family).
 Demonstrate trust: trust one another
Strengthening Family Relationships

6.  Express commitment: willingness to work together and
make sacrifices
 Be responsible: thinking before you act, avoiding risky
behaviors
 Spend time together: eating meals together
 Respect individuality: Respect for each other, Individual
tastes, talents and opinions
 Work together to solve problems: Identify and work out
problems
 Be sensitive to others’ needs: pay attention to how others
feel
Continued…

7.  Change is a normal part of life. Some of the changes
can be minor and others can be major.
 The sudden loss of a job can be a change that could
cause financial hardship.
 Family change can cause stress whether it be good or
bad.
 There are various types of changes someone can
experience throughout their life.
Families and Changes

8.  Marriage is commitment between two people to
share life’s joys, struggles, and challenges. Sometimes
those struggles and challenges can cause problems
that can not be worked out which result in separation
and/or divorce.
 Separation is a decision between married individuals
to live apart from each other.
 Divorce is a legal end to a marriage contract.
Changes in the Family

9. Changes in the Family
 Remarriage
 The remarriage of a
parent can be stressful.
 If there are new additions
to the family structure it
will be important for
everyone to adjust to the
change.
 Death of a Family Member
 A death of a family member can be
very troubling.
 Each person will experience their
own feelings of grief.
 When dealing with death of a family
member it is important to do the
following:
 1. Focus on happy memories
 2. Accept your feelings
 3. Join a support group
 4. Seek help from a grief counselor

10.  Changes in family circumstances can cause stress
among the family.
 1. Moving
 2. Financial problems
 3. Illness and disability
 4. Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Changes in Family Circumstances

11.  Many families experience problems and are able to resolve
the conflict. However, there are some families who
experience crises that are unhealthy.
 Family Violence is not acceptable.
 Domestic Violence
 Emotional Abuse
 Physical Abuse
 Sexual Abuse
 Spousal Abuse
 Child Abuse
 Neglect
 If a family experiences any form of violence or abuse it is important to
seek help immediately.
Dealing with Family Crises

12.  Depending on the circumstance of the family crises
depends on what type of help should someone seek.
 For example, someone who is experience problems
with substance abuse may require medical help.
 Crisis Centers are a facility that handles emergencies
and provides referrals to an individual needing help.
 There are many sources of help for families.
Where to seek help?

13.  Faith Communities
 Community Services
 Police
 Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
 Shelters
 Mediation
 Family Counseling
 Support Groups
Sources of Help for Families

14.  Each family member can do his or her part to keep the
family healthy.
 1. Cooperate
 2. Show appreciation
 3. Be a good communicator
 4. Offer help
 5. Be empathic
 6. Work to resolve conflicts
 7. Know when to get outside help
Maintaining Healthy Families