Healthy Family Relationships

Strengthening Family Relationships and Looking at

the Health of the FamilyGrade Level: 7th Grade

Stephanie Lazo Emily Klee

Shelby Everitt Morgan Woodlief

Functions of the Family

Functions of the Family

Primary Support System

Meeting Emotional Needs

Values and Religious Beliefs

Culture and Traditions

Functions of the FamilyInstilling values and religious beliefs

Values – beliefs and feelings about what is important.

Traits of a Healthy Family Relationship

Traits of a Healthy Family Relationship

Commitment

Time

Communication

Respect

Solving Problems

Love

AffirmationTrust

Traits of a Healthy Family Relationship

Affirmation – adding positive input that helps others feel appreciated and supported.

Trust – high levels of trust include keeping promises and being honest for both parents and children.

Commitment – family members are willing to work together and make sacrifices so it will benefit the whole family.

Traits of a Healthy Family Relationship

Time Together – a strong healthy family relationship is not feasible without spending time together.

Communication – effective communication means listening to the viewpoint of others as well as being heard.

Traits of a Healthy Family Relationship

Respect – this includes acceptance of individual tastes, talents and opinions.

Solving Problems – identifying problems before they become too serious and asking for outside help.

Love – healthy families give and receive love to one another, physically and verbally.

Stress

Common Factors That Cause Family Stress

Stress Stress – pressure or tension in the family

system that causes a sense of disequilibrium in the family, yet it is normal and sometimes even desirable. It arises from both within and outside the family and is mediated or aggravated by factors within the ecosystem.

Change in Family Structure

Moving

Financial Problems

Stressors

Substance Abuse

Illness or Disability

Stressors

Dealing With Family Stress…

Speak with a parent or other

adult

Help the situation

Read books

oTalk about differences

oStay on subject

oUse “I” messages

oDo enjoyable activitiesoDiscuss negative behavior

Separation and Divorce

Meeting the

needs of children– Custody

Family Adjustments

– Coping with change– Living with different

people

Separation and Divorce

Coping with divorce– No fighting in front of

children– No taking sides– Freely express feelings– Realize have no control

over situation

Separation and Divorce

Separation and Divorce

Surviving a breakup

– Parents divorce each other, not the children

– Children seldom the cause

Domestic Violence

1. Acts of violence involving family members:

Spousal Abuse

Child Abuse

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Neglect

2. Common Symptoms of Neglect or Abuse 

 

a. Sudden changes in behavior.  b. Being overly compliant. c. Not receiving help for physical and

medical problems.  d. Unexplained bites, bruises, broken bones

and/or black eyes. 

Abuse Conflict Video

References Childstats.gov. (2005). Population and family

characteristics [Electronic version]. Retrieved June 1, 2006, from http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/pdf/ac2005/pop.pdf

Fields, J., & Casper, L. M. (2001). America’s families and living arrangements: March 2000 [Electronic version]. U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC.

References Merki, M. B., & Merki, D. (1999). Glencoe

health: A guide to wellness. Teacher’s wraparound edition. Woodland Hills, CA: Glencoe/ McGraw-Hill.

Prevent Child Abuse. (n.d.). Recognizing child abuse: What parents should know. Retrieved June 1, 2006, from http://www.preventchildabuse.org/publications/parents/downloads/recognizing_abuse.pdf

References Wilken, C. S. (2005). Family, youth, and

community: A student guide to data, theory, and practice. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/ Hunt.

NightingaleMusic.com(n.d). The Nightingale Voicebox, Volume 3, “Just Kids and Babies.”

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. (2002). Retrieved on June 2, 2006, http://www.nspcc.org.uk/html/home/newsandcampaigns/video.htm