Exam 3 Flashcards
Illustrate the implications surrounding the average number of children per household
Middle class families are getting smaller
2 children on average
Many families are opting to only have 1 child
Larger families are typically the families with the least amount of resources
Birth order is important
The dynamics and challenges of single-mother household
Majority are either divorced or never married
They face more economic and employment difficulties than single-parent fathers
More likely to live in poverty
Discuss the implications of parental separation on custody arrangements
Standards that court officials may apply in determining the custody arrangements of children following the divorce:
Custody should be awarded to either one or both parents according to the best interests of the child
Custody may be awarded to the persons other than the father or mother whenever such awards serves the best interests of the child
role of a grandparent
Following the divorce, grandparents have few legal rights to visit, or be a part of, their grandchildren’s lives
Depending on the state, grandparents may not be allowed to see their grandchildren if the custodial parent disapproves
If visitation continues it is because the court perceives it to be in the best interest of the child
Describe the effects of role strain on parenting by women
Divorced women experience different degrees of role strain from that experiences by divorced men
They must function as the sole full-time parent in their new family system
Employment becomes their highest priority
(Attention for children decreases and childcare/personal needs get less time)
Birth order average characteristics
Older-Rule follower, eaze, adult communication, responsible
Middle- good peace makers, go with the flow
Youngest- showered with attention, comedian, more which demand attention
dynamics and challenges of single-father households
These types of families have increased
Typically, single fathers make more money than single mothers
There are 2 avenues for fathers to get custody:
Many are assertive of this right because they feel they are capable
Mothers may not want to parent or may lose their rights
Challenges of Nonresidential, Noncustodial Fathers
Fathers who don’t share a home with their child face the risk of gradually fading from their child’s life
Being a nonresidential, noncustodial father seems to incerase men’s risk of injury, addiction, and premature death
This may be a reaction to grief/loss
Could reflect possible irresponsible behavior that contributed to the divorce
Payment of child support and emotional involvement have positive impacts on the well-being of the child
Managing coparenting arrangements
Establish new rules and boundaries regarding their coparenting relationship
Resist the temptation to involve children in the adult business of the divorce
Maintain open lines of communication to resolve differences
“Pain games”= unhealthy ways to express negative emotions related to divorce. Involves:
Discounting of the other parent (negative comments, derogatory labels)
Messanger/Go between (“Tell them…”
I spy (“What did you do over there?” “Who was there?”)
Describe the effects of role strain on parenting by men
Single parent fathers experience role strain differently
Tend to share household management tasks with their children (mostly daughters) rather than get outside help
Or, they may intentionally not involve their children to prove they can do it
Sandwitch generation
The middle generation who care for their own children, as well as their aging parents
These individuals experience role strain and possible burnout. Especially if they are also juggling career obligations and partnership/marriage
Discuss the implications on the family system when parenting is interrupted
Sometimes, parenting is “interrupted” due to career obligations, military service, health issues, substance abuse, etc.
Family system has restribute its power and all the remaining family member pool their reousrces to find a new homeostasis or equilibrium
Quality oof parental relationship lasts into adulthood
Recovery from negative childhood experiences is possible
Memories of a happy childhood will sustain and inspire indivudlas throughout their lives
Explain what is considered a “fragile family” and how it affect child well-being
Fragile families are families who are more vulnerable or at a higher risk because of economic, health, biological, or social factors
Increasesing factors:
Poverty is limited resources (economic or other)
Limited education (underserved school; dropping out)
Lack of vocational skills, low income jobs, employment difficulty
Chronic illness, disability, depression, behavioral problems
Social isolation, lack of support, dependence on welfare
The role of external development assets
support
boundaries
expectations
constructive use of time
The role of internal development assets (personality characteristics)
commitment to learning
positive values
social competencies
positive identity
Propose a plan of action for a family in crisis
Describe the way grief affects families
Children’s grief looks different at various levels of development
Children should be encouraged to participate in funeral rituals
Children expreience grief in intense bursts throughout their developmental experience
The loss of a parent can bring secondary losses as well
Evaluate the role of open communication in fighting drug abuse within families
When an adult family member develops substance use and addictive, he or she believes that the solution to a problem can be addressed by a using a substance
The addictive substance functions to medicate the user in the short term, allowing him or her to cope
The user may lose control over the ability to stop using the substance
Examine the implications of parental addiction on children and families
Children may not be aware that one or both of their parents have substance use or addictive disorder
Since they observed destructive patterns modeled by their parents, it is unlikely that they know what constitutes healthy family life
The addiction problem becomes a family secret with three basic rules:
1. Dont talk about your parent’s problems because it is a family secret
2. Dont trust on anyone outside the family to understand the problem
3. Don’t feel anything because this destroy the integrity of the family
A cycle of violence is maniefested in two ways:
1. Individuals who had violent and abusive childhoods tend to become abusers of their own children
2. A 3-phase sequence in the expression of violent behavior begins with increasing tension, a loss of control that is manifested by violent behavior, and a reconciliation period
Child abuse: Neglect
Physical & emotional neglect of children reported most frequently as type of maltreatment
Parents who are caught and reported for child neglect for the first time may have recently experienced a family crisis such as an illness, divorce, or desertion
Often parents live in poverty and expereince high levels of stress that are accompanied by depression and anxiety
Child abuse- Physical abuse of children
Many parents who were physically abused as children are not aware that what they are doing is wrong/harmful
Strong beliefs about using physical punishment to teach children how to behave
Generally have a low tolerance for children’s misbehavior
They find themselves in situations which are highly stressful, without sufficient support, and without adequate coping skills
Child abuse- Emotional abuse of children
Parents who emotionally abuse children experience low levels of self-esteem
They have poor coping skills and lack child management skills
Damages a child’s trust and well-being
Child abuse- Sexual abuse of children
The majority of adults who sexually molest children are other relatives (incest) and nonrelatives with whom the child is familiar
Report the incidence of divorce and remarriage in the US
Remarriage is more likely after a divorce than if you are widowed
Remarriages are a high risk; they have a higher chance of divorce
Couples who have stable, high functioning remarriages report greater satisfaction and pride than first-marriage couples
