The Influence of Family on Developing a Lifestyle

DR. JAMILA ABUIDHAIL

LECTURE 2

Objectives

• Define family system theory
• Discuss the effect of the family lifestyle on child development
• List three developmental theories
• Define what makes the family dysfunctional

​

​

​

Family

• Family: a basic human social system that involves commitment and interaction between its members.

​

​

​

1. Size of family:

• A brother or sister helps provide support and gives early experience in developing skills necessary for social interaction.
• Older children can help younger siblings grasp language skills
• The only child have the opportunity to develop social skills from the day care and preschool.

Effect of family on growth and development of the child

2. Spacing of siblings:

• A 1-year-old child may whine and cling,
• A two-year-old child may regress in toileting or feeding behaviors
• A 4 year old may develop temper tantrum
• A child older than 5 years of age may feel protective of the new arrival
• Shared experience in siblings less than 4 years apart increases the occurrence of siblings rivalry.

​

Effect of family on growth and development of the child

• 3. Divorce: children of divorce often have a higher incidence of behavioral or learning difficulties, self-blame is common in children of divorce. Children need permission to continue to love both parents and feel free to express these feelings.

​

• 4. Stepchildren and foster children:

The children may have to adjust to a new home and school environment with new rules and new roommates who are strangers.

​

Effect of family on growth and development of the child

• 5. chronic illness: having a child, parent, or dependent relative with a chronic illness can strain sibling relationships and place a toll on the emotional, psychological, and economic resources of the family.

​

• The well child may be expected to be more independent and carry more responsibilities or step into a caregiver role that may keep him or her away from normal activities with peers.

Effect of family on growth and development of the child

• 6. Use of child care services:

Individual child care or group day care is a replacement for the direct care by a parent and is currently used more often than nannies, extended family members, sibling care, and private babysitters.

​

Effect of family on growth and development of the child

Understanding families through theories

• Theories give us a way of studying family interaction or individual growth and development

​

• 1. family system theories: is based on the understanding that family functions are interconnected. This means that what happens to one family member affects the entire family. No illness is seen as an isolated, individual event. Everything is viewed in the context of family interaction.

• 2. developmental theories: there are various theories of growth and development and each theory emphasizes specific areas of development such as motor, cognitive, social and so on.

​

• Developmental stage: is defined as a period in life characterized by the mastery of specific skills or behaviors. Each stage incorporates achievements from the previous stage and contain skill, behaviors or tasks necessary to enter and successfully master the tasks of the next stage.

Growth and development of the family

• Developmental tasks of the family life cycle:

The family has a life cycle of its own, which described by events and influenced by the environment. Deviations from the smooth flow of the family developmental cycle can result in dysfunctions.

​

• A developmental task is a competency or skill that helps a person cope with the environment or advance personal development. Tasks occur in sequence, and mastery of developmental tasks of one stage are usually required to master developmental tasks of the next stage of development. There are physical, cognitive, psychological, motor, and psychosocial developmental tasks.

Both the individual and the family have developmental tasks to be achieved at specific stages of development across the life span, such s the following:

• - physical competencies: which include functional abilities that result from motor and neurological development.
• - emotional competencies: which include self- awareness, empathy for others, and utilizing strategies to cope with stress or frustrations
• - social competencies: which include the ability to form positive interpersonal relationships.

​

• Childrearing styles:
• 1. autocratic style: decisions are made without the input of the children. Respect and obedience is expected without discussion.
• 2. democratic style: children are encouraged to participate in decision making, and all members of the family exhibit mutual respect.

​

Note: whichever style of childrearing and family development is selected, consistency of that style by both parents is essential for the development of stable family dynamics.

​

• A functional family: is a stable family unit with consistent rules whose members are able to deal with conflict, stress, and problems in away that promotes the physical and psychological well-being of its members.

​

​

• A dysfunctional family: is a family unit that does not offer consistency of members or rules, may exhibit poor interpersonal relationships among its members, deals poorly with conflicts and problems, and often cannot reach out to the community for help. Dysfunctional family styles often result in antisocial behaviors of family members, where behavior of individuals may violate the rights of others.

Thank you