Title: Describe the family as a system.
Course: Family Relations (19259-18) > Section: Analyzing the Significance of the Family System

Description should include

- a definition of system
- definitions of various family systems, including but not limited to, nuclear, extended, blended, single-parent, adoptive, and foster families
- characteristics of each family system
- ways attitudes, characteristics, and behaviors are affected by the family system.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- Why is it important to view the family as a system, the parts of which are interrelated, interconnected, and interdependent?
- What happens to the family if a part of the system undergoes a significant change (e.g., through divorce, death, job loss, illness)?
- How does the political system, including government, education, public services, and courts, affect families?

Communication

- What are examples of ways that technology affects families?
- How can technology improve family communication? Hinder family communications?
- What criteria can the family use to evaluate a technological device?

Leadership

- What are the strengths of each family structure?
- How do these strengths allow them to contribute to the family? To society?
- How might the structure affect the family's ability to fulfill its functions?
- What can families of different structures contribute to the community?
- How might a family adjust if taxes are increased or if public services are cut?
- What leadership skills contribute to meeting those challenges?
- How can the political system be applied to address issues such as homelessness or family violence?

Management

- What factors in the economic system affect families?
- What are ways that families can affect the economic system?
- What might determine the family’s need for community resources?
- What might influence a family’s ability to refuse or accept community resources?