Chapter 12Healthy Family Relationships

By

Fabiola Calixte

Wileina Calixte

Junie Marcelus

Welcome to the Sunshine County Crisis Center for Mothers in

Graduate School

Healthy Family Relationships

Lesson 1: The Family as a SystemLesson 2: Looking at the Health of

the FamilyLesson 3: Support Systems for

Families

Lesson 1: The Family as a System

Family as a System

A system similar to the human body

Made up of two parents and one or more children

Health affects the family as a whole

Functions of the Family

Primary Support Meeting the emotional needs of

children and providing nurturingInstalling values and religious beliefsPassing on traditions and customs

from one generation to the next

Meeting Basic Needs of Children

Food, shelter, clothing

Knowledge of how to live safely

Basic social skills Essential

mechanism

Meeting Emotional Needs

Develop a sense of belonging Families that help them feel secure and

lovedTurn to family members for support Good self-esteem Instilling Values Instilling culture and traditions

Responsibilities of Family Members

For a family to function as a healthy unit, each member must be willing to accept his/her responsibilities to the family

Parents Responsibilities

Providing basic comforts and needs

Love and acceptance Setting limits Maintaining rules

Children Responsibilities

ChoresLearn life skills needed as an

adultBoost self-esteemLove and appreciation in return

for parents

Building Healthy Family Relationships

Time together Respect Solving

problems Love

Building Healthy Family Relationships Cont..

Communication Affirmation Trust Commitment

Lesson 2: Looking at the Health of the

Family

Family Stress

Arrival of a new baby or grandparent

Moving Loss of job Illness or

DisabilitySubstance Abuse

Separation and Divorce

Meeting the need of children

Family Adjustment

Surviving a breakup

Marriage and Dissolution Rates of Marriage, Rates per 1,000

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

FL Marr.US Marr.FL DivorcUS Divorc

Domestic Violence

Spouse AbuseChild AbuseEmotional AbuseNeglect

** Family Stress can also lead to running away****

Coping with Family Stress

Talking with parents, with older adults, or with siblings

Doing what one can to help the family out

Coping with Family Stress Cont..

Reading books on the subject

Talking with classmates

Lesson 3: Support Systems for Families

“ A healthy family is a work in progress, requiring an ongoing effort on the part of each member.”

Sources of Help

Crisis CentersCrisis Hotlines

Crisis Centers

“A facility equipped to handle emergencies ad make referrals for person who need help.”

Crisis Hotlines

“Special phone numbers people can call to receive help twenty-four hours a day.”

Private and Public Services

Parenting Food Clothing Shelter (Foster Care) Financial Aid Medical Care Finding Employment

Outside Services

Support meetings Family Counseling Meditations