Exploring Child Welfare - Essay
September 10th, 2021
What are the different ways in which families can be defined?
“A family is a group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adoption and residing together." (Amato)
Family system is a complex system that is constantly changing. It encompasses those who are responsible for making decisions and regulating the day-to-day functions of the family unit. “Family” Influences our behaviors and models what is socially accepted. The family unit can be broken down into three types: two-parent, single-parent, and blended. Over time there has been social and cultural changes to how family if defined. We’ve seen shifts from intergenerational with several generations living under one roof to grandparents raising their grandchildren on their own. To define a family is to look at how it functions, the transfer of communication (interactions), and roles. Families are changing and may also look different based on cultural and spiritual beliefs and values.
The family system encompasses a series of subsystems that is organized by generational boundaries, roles, and rules (“Mind Matters : Family Systems”) The subsystems are parental and sibling. The parent subsystem are the caregivers that take on the role of decision maker and delegations. It is expected that the parent protects, nurture, and teach the children. This is accomplished through healthy modeled behavior offering cues to what is accepted and expected.
“The family is not a static body; it alters and adjusts as the family members experience the different stages of life.” (Wilson, 2002)
Compare and contrast the communication patterns, values, and spiritual beliefs of the families of three different cultural groups. How do these differences influence the way in which these family’s function?
“The African American family is very much in touch with their but has a characteristic manner of expressing them”. To be effective within a family unit communication must be clear and open. African American families are close by nature and children are adored and taken care of. Extended family involvement such as grandparents and close family friends are an extension to the support system of the children. This gives children various examples of “role models” that they can look up to during different stages of their life. Identity is a major teaching within the African American family. Among Hispanic family’s respect (respect) is the highest regard between all members. The males and elders taking greater rank over to children and women. Having children is what validates a “marriage” in the Hispanic culture. Asian culture commutation is built around rules. Starting at the top and then downward. A yes could mean I disagree but still yes. For African Americans abstract communication cues and language are used to rely on messages and sometimes hidden emotions (Crosson-Tower). This is developed within the home and is often may seem hard to translate to and outsider. Harmony is always the subconscious goal within Asian families. Like Hispanic family culture Asian families too value respect (repecto). This is also true for both when it comes to the male role taking dominance within the family infrastructure. Shame plays a major part in disciplinary actions and behaviors with the adults of Asian families. Shame is dishonor to the family at large. Therefore, going against Asian values. Children are prized in African American families so much so that extended family culturally deem it a “social responsibility” of all family members to come together to assist the childcare, financial, overall wellbeing of the child (Crosson-Tower). Children are taught to be resilient from birth with the implantation of community and neighborhood programs such as Parent Café’ (“Parent Café Evaluation”).
Why is it important for effective social workers to both listen and look when working with families from different cultural backgrounds? To provide proper service, you have to meet people where they are and within their space. That space includes cultural beliefs and behaviors. The facts must be acknowledged along with empathy and sympathy towards customs. Perspective is needed when working with families. Social work perspectives draw from psychology, philosophy, economics, education and other fields to attempt to explain what drives and motivates people at various stages of life. When working with families in particular this is a good framework to consider along with cultural backgrounds.
Works Cited
Amato, Paul R. “What Is a Family? | National Council on Family Relations.” Ncfr.org, 2014, www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/past-issues/summer-2014/what-family.
Crosson-Tower, Cynthia. Exploring Child Welfare : A Practice Perspective. Pearson, 2018.
“Mind Matters : Family Systems.” YouTube, 16 Apr. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBjOpDKHWOM.
“Parent Café Evaluation.” Be Strong Families, www.bestrongfamilies.org/parent-cafe-evaluation.
Wilson, Adrian. Family. Florence Taylor And Francis Ann Arbor, Michigan Proquest, 2002.