Module I: Today's’ Families & Communities

NU 550 OL

Latin “familia” Tradition Togetherness Shared

experiences Bondedness Different

relationships Groups

Individuals Parents with

children Born, married,

adopted Bound legally Bound by caring,

love Sacrifice Biological ties

 

What is Family?

Many different phrases to define family with no one correct phrase

Family can begin with or without the concept of caring

No single theme for the family that encompasses all cultures, age groups, and time frames

So What is a Family?

Variety in family structure existed before present time

Patterns had to be understood in relation to national and regional cultural variations (Shorter, 1977)

Family is not an object but a social concept without specific place or tangible substance (Gubrium’s and Holstein,1990)

Family

Family represents an intra or interpersonal relationship where there is a history of concern and caring and the potential for continued commitment to caring

Family can be defined as 2 or more individuals or other beings involved in an interdependent relationship; not necessarily bound by blood relations.

Definition of Family

Religious groups Social sciences Economists Developmental theorists Psychologists Lawyers Anthropologists Educators Politicians

Disciplines that Research Family

“Family Centered Care” (Cunningham,1978) “Family Focused Care” (Janosik and Miller,

1979) Bevis and Watson reconfigured family

health nursing education around a “caring model”

Freidman, Wright and Leahy in the 1980’s started to look at families as a system or family aggregates (groups) based on assessing the functioning of a family as interactional system of dyads or triads.

Why Nursing?

“Family Interviewing” (Wright & Leahey, 1984) “Family Systems Nursing”(Wright & Leahey,

1984) Martha Rogers (1983) integrated family systems

theory Betty Neuman (1983) integrated family theory:

“the family is a system in society … viewed as one singular internal environment or system”

King (1983) focused attention on the family as a social system that influences the growth and development of individuals.

Nursing Theorists

“family as co-provider of care” and nurses to become competent in assessing and intervening with families

ANA Social Policy Statement & Standards of Practice (1980)

VonBertalanffy Systems Theory (1936):

1) Concept #1: A family system is part of a large suprasystem and is composed of many subsystems (systems defined by boundaries)

2) Concept #2: The family as a whole is > that the sum of its parts

3) Concept #3: A change in one family member affects all the family members  

Family as a Concept

Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) (Wright & Leahey)

Integrated framework based on systems theory and change theory

3 components of CFAM: structural developmental functional

Family as a Concept continued…

Traditional Nuclear Family “All American Family” Married with kids, mother doesn’t work National Family and Work Institute in NY

1993 showed 56% of women with children ages 6 – 11 worked and 43% worked with children under the age of 6 y.o.

2 Myths Concerning Family

US Department of Labor: 2008

Extended Families Several generations living in the same

household working toward a common goal Intergenerational relationships means

support is available but also means stress, fulfilling obligations, maintaining family rituals, attending celebrations, and honor relationships

2nd Myth

DINKS Single Parents Interracial Marriages Homosexual families Grandparent Families Adopted Families Melded Families Reproductive technologies

Other Combinations of Family

Baby Boomers (1946 – 1962) Aging Population Media Isolating/Addicting Technology Pop Psychology Migrating Families

Influences on the Family

http://www.crunchbase.com/company/facebook

• Religious influences Cultural influences Genetic Policy influences Disparities in health care Financial and ethical issues Age of family members Woman and work Immediate neighborhood and

community

Impact of the Changing Family on Health and the Health Care System

Colonial times: surrounded by family and community

19th Century: family was a refuge, (men were public), (women were at home)

20th century: family become the encounter group (let it all hang out and find the meaning of life)

21st century: atypical families

Historical Perspectives on American Families

Focus years 1945-1968 Post WWII years focus on what life was

supposed to be like American families and the nostalgia trap

( Coontz, S. 1992, Bellah, R. 1992, Finklestein, N., 2000)

Myths of Life in America

Image of the Family Doctor: Limitations to Medical Care: Major Health Concerns: Preventable Disease by Immunization Statistics on Life Expectancy What has extended Life Expectancy? Discuss advances for various health

concerns

Myth # 1 “People Were Healthier

Safety and Government Interventions Motor vehicle safety Lead Accidents

Myth 1 continued…

Myth 2: Please Pass the Pot Roast

Image of the perfect family Historical Events that impacted family life in

the 50’s and 60’s Women and family life Compare and contrast family life today and

yesterday Parents and kids Suburbia Growth of homes Housing for the poor

MYTH # III: HOME SWEET HOME, MAN’S HOME IS HIS CASTLE

Historical Perspectives on Violence Racial Violence & Discrimination

MYTH # IV: WE NEVER LOCKED OUR DOORS

MYTH #5: See the USA in Your New Chevrolet

Historical factors that influenced aging :◦ Life Expectancy: (1776) 35 y.o.◦ (1900) 47 y.o.◦ (1950) 68 y.o.◦ (1991) 76 y.o.

MYTH # 6: WE RESPECTED OUR ELDERS

Historical Events that Impacted Childhood in the 50’s

Schools in 2009

. MYTH #7: GOLDEN CHILDHOOD

Events that led to better environmental control

MYTH # 8: WE COULD BREATH THE AIR

1) What terms come to mind when we think of this article?

2) What relationships are portrayed in this paper?

3) Explain the similarities and differences between the 2 girls.

4) Which character do you find more hopeful and why?

5) What implications does this article have for APRN’s, CNL’s and Nurse Educators?

Group Reflection/Discussion : Orenstein Article

Read the major concepts regarding the historical myths that Americans faced in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. Answer the following questions:◦ Do you agree or disagree with the comments◦ Has this information changed the scope of the way you

perceive the current health care industry◦ How have these historical changes increased or

decreased the stress in families today ◦ Think of a memorable patient that you have taken care of

recently; analyze the patient’s struggle to maintain a balance between the old ways (sense of stability) and current trends (change). How did this impact on his/her health care.

 

Discussion: American Myths