Parenting & Families

Chapter 1

What is Parenting?

Parenting is: A way of providing care, support, and love in a way that leads to a child’s total development

Parenting involves meeting the child’s physical, mental, emotional, and social needs

Caregiver- people in care giving roles who care for and guide children

“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of

my family.” Thomas Jefferson

Write down your definition of the stereotypical family.

Working dadStay-at-home mom2 or 3 children

Only 10% of all households are in this family form.

All Kinds of FamiliesBiological parents- children are born to

Adoptive parents- accept legal responsibility for children who were born to them as their own.

Step parents- when one of their parents remarries

Legal guardians– a court appointed person who has the legal and financial responsibility of taking care of a child.

Foster families—takes care of children on a temporary basis

Millions of Kids

Children living in blended families, including either a step-parent or step-sibling.Children living with both natural parents and full brothers or sisters (nuclear).Children living in extended families including other people such as uncles, cousins, aunts or grandparents.Children living in one-parent (single) families.

8 million

10 million

15 million

33 million

Family Type Number of Children

1997 statistics

Flexibility, adaptability and tolerance for

change are helpful skills for making family

life terrific!

RelationshipWhat? An interaction between two or more people.

Who? Parents, siblings, peers, spouse,

grandparents

They are constantly changing.

An individual is going through various stages of his life cycle while the family is going through its cycle.

Family StructuresNuclear Family- a mother, a father, and one or more children

Extended family-relatives other than parents and children which include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Single-parent- single parents may or may not have help from other family members

Blended family- when a single parent marries. It can include each spouse’s children from previous marriages, as well as new children of the couple

Family Life CycleStage 1: Individual A person develops career skills, takes responsibility

for his or her own care, and learns to make financial decisions.

Stage 2: Marriage Couple blend their expectations, values, and vision

of the future. Learn commitment and mutual goals.

Stage 3: Childbearing Learn to meet children physical and emotional

needs while continuing to take care of themselves.

Stage 4:Parenting Meeting the needs of children

Family Life Cycle Continued...Stage 5:Launching From the time the oldest child leaves the

family for independent adult life till the time the last child leaves.

Stage 6: Middle Years From the time the children are gone till the

marital couple retires from employment.

Stage 7: Senior Years From retirement till the death of the surviving

marriage partner. People look back at their lives.

American Family FormsLiving Alone 1 of 24 adults remain single throughout their life. 66% of single people are women.

Marrying Later in Life Average age to marry: men - 25.9, women - 23.6 More young people are not marrying or are

marrying later.

Couples Having Children Later in Life More couples are waiting to become parents

until their careers are established. Estimated cost to raise child is $200,000

Couples With Fewer Children The average number of children has dropped

from 3.6 in 1957 to 1.8.

Couples With No Children Due to career commitments, fertility problems

or just because they enjoy their childless lifestyles, many couples are remaining “Double Income, No Kids” couples.

American Family Forms Continued

Divorced Adults Approximately 60% of all divorces involve

couples with children in the home.

Single-Parent Families About 1 in 4 children live with only one parent. The number of single-parent homes has more

than doubled in the past 20 years Divorced women’s standard of living drops

73%, while divorced men jumps 42%. About 50% of the children in divorced families

report having not seen their father in the last year and only 1 of 6 see him once a week.

American Family Forms Continued Again

Almost to the End of American Family Forms

Grown Children Moving In With Their Parents Families with two children and young parents living

at home with their parents has doubled in 25 years.

Grandparents Living With Families With greater longevity, there are more

elderly people.

Blended Families Divorced parents, especially fathers are likely to

remarry. 13% of today’s children are stepchildren Flexibility and humor will assist in the adjustment.

Working Mothers The fastest growing segment of the work

force is women with children under the age of three.

More than half of American mothers with infants less than a year old are working outside the home.

Day care for these children can cost up to ¼ the family budget.

Working mothers have 15 fewer hours of leisure a week than fathers.

The End of American Family Forms

ScenariosYour marriage is headed for divorce. How would you settle property, child custody,

divorce costs?

You are a single mother. How will you cope emotionally and financially?

Elderly parents need to move in with you. What conflicts and adjustments will arise?

You just remarried. How will family discipline be handled? How will

household chores be divided? What name do you expect the children to call you? Where should you live? How should you divide physical space?

Functions of the Family

For physical safety and shelter

For love, affection, and emotional support

For raising children in a stable setting

For economic stability

For comfort and support when family members become aged or ill

A Healthy Family

Express love and acceptance

Spends time together

Shows Trust

Shows Respect

Establishes traditions

Communicates

Resolve conflicts

Asks for assistance