Lecture 3 Flashcards
What is a system?
A collection of parts that interacts to function as a whole
- parts are organized around a purpose
- continually affect each other over time
Is a system and an environment the same thing?
System can be distringuiished form its environment and out affects its environment
What does systems thinking mean?
Means to think in terms of relationships (social and ecological)
-hard because we have been taught to weight and measure things
Where did systems thinking originate?
In the 1920/30’s, HEc’s were apart of this this thinking.
Moving from biology to ecology (ecosystem vs single species)
-moving from specific answers to looking at the whole picture
Why is it hard for us to think in terms of relationships?
relationships can not be measured and weighed, they need to be mapped
-which requires a qualitative approach
What is the general systems theory?
All phenomena can be viewed as a web of dynamic, complex relationships among elements. Describes phenomena but doesnt predict it
-all systems have common patterns, behaviour and properties
What does the general systems theory focus on?
On processes like how system adapt to inputs and generate outputs
What are the 10 things family systems theory looks at?
- Interdependent components
- Inputs and outputs
- Boundaries
- Hierarchy
- RUles
- Nonsummativity
- Change
- Goals
- Equifinality
- Feedback Mechanisms
When looking at family systems theory, what are interdependent components?
All members. are affected by change in one member
- causal effects are complex (not linear)
- need to look at problems holistically and in context
When looking at family systems theory, what are inputs and outputs?
Info/energy/matter that is imported into the system or exported from it
-Inputs (food, goods) are transformed into outputs (behaviour, garbage)
When looking at family systems theory, what are Boundaries?
Boundaries exist around each family system and act as an interface between the family and its environment
-there are varying degrees of permeability as to how much matter/energy/in is allowed in/out of the system
Where else do boundaries exist in a family?
Subsystems of interest
-parent and child
When looking at family systems theory, what is the hierarchy?
Families are part of neighbourhood suprasystems, those are apart of community suprasystem.
-subsystems reflect patterns of relationships among family members. Various subsystems may hold differing levels of power witting the family system
When looking at family systems theory, what are rules?
Reflect repeated patterns in family systems
- explicit or implicit
- prescribe all aspects of family member interactions
When looking at family systems theory, what is nonsummativity?
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
-cant learn how a whole system works by analyzing each of its components in isolation
When looking at family systems theory, what is change?
Systems resist change to maintain a certain predicable order
-are able to recognize and adapt new patterns of interaction in response to information from outside/inside the family
When looking at family systems theory, what is the goal?
Families strive to achiever goals, these can chang ever time as members start to grow and change
-goals exist at the family system level and may not always coincide with foals of individual members
When looking at family systems theory, what is equifinality?
Ability of a system to achieve a goal through different means or routes
When looking at family systems theory, what are feedback mechanisms?
Families strive to maintain balance in their functioning (self regulating/corrective)
- Negative feedback: pushes the system back to equilibrium
- Positive feedback: Change in the system was accepted and the previous equilibrium changes and adapts to this new way
Families have endless patterns of monitoring
In family systems theory, what is adaptability of a system?
Positively related to the amount and variety of. resources available. It must be flexible to change with the environment
Negatively related to conflict and tension
What was the ecological approach too family health?
Family is the oldest and most basic. unit of society and has traditionally been the first and among the most important of healthcare givers. It is the centre of a complex network of interconnected social systems
-the family cares, protects and nurtures members
Interms of family health, what is an effective entry point for health promotion?
The family
What is an ecological approach to family health?
Individual behaviour is shaped and reinforced by mutual dynamic interactions at multiple levels within ones physical and social surroundings
The family receives and interprets health messages for its members and family members often resemble each other in terms of health
-ecological perspective on family health accounts for the myriad of influences on it
What is the human ecological model?
composed of different systems, in which at the core is the child which is affected by family, community and society
From the human ecological model what is a microsystem?
Immediate setting for say to ay activities where (family, school), where personal interactions occur
From the human ecological model what is an ecosystem?
Factor such as programs, policies and regulations, quality of education and availability of resources that affect communities organization and institutions
From the human ecological model what is a microsystem?
Most removed from the individual, but still exerts influence. (cultural, social structures, media, government, economy)
From the human ecological model what is a mesosystem?
Relationship of various microsystem with other settings (work, church)
-Stronger, more positive and more diverse links there are between systems, the more beneficial the mesosystem is on a Childs development
From the human ecological model what is a chronosystem?
Multiple environments affect and individual over time
Human development is a lifelong process
Life transitions are important
- normatiive (puberty, school, death)
- nonnormative( accident, illness)
In the social ecological model, what is the goal for health promotion?
To promote change at the individual level as well as in social, physical and political environments
-to nerves at multiple levels over a period of time
What tis a Hestian system?
Based on sustenance and nurturance within the household/family
What is the origin of a hesitant system?
Named after goddess of hearth and home and the system that sustains it
What are the characteristics under a hestian system,?
Domestic life Invisible Ethics of Care Ideology of connection Intrinsic rewards Concrete Domestic Economy Domestic Science Home Economics
What is a Herman system?
Based on governance and dominance within the state/government
What is the origin of a Hermean system?
Was the god of commerce/trade and communication in the public sphere which symbolized the public world
-associated with the stat4e and the actions necessary to govern and maintain it
What are the characteristics under Hermean system?
Civic life Visible Ideology of Control Ethics of justice Extrinsic rewards Abstract Political economy/Science Economics
What is a hestian vs hermean response to societal problems?
Hestian: Proactive
-looking at the root causes and remove them to prevent problems
Hermean: Reactive
-Implement quick, short-term solutions
which is essential for survival, Hermean or hestian?
Hestian
-can be generational because there are a lot of longterm effect on this side
But there is more power in Hermean side
Do hermean and hestian systems exist at the same time?
Exists simultaneously as a holistic reality, not as mirror images of one another. They exist in relation to each other and form each others boundaries
- they are distinctive yet complimentary
- interdependent, interactive and interconnected
If hermean and hestian were people, which sex would they represent
hermean would be dominated by males
Hestian dominated by females
-devalues and privatized
What does it mean when someone says I’m just a housewife?
Self deprecating admission
- reflects society consensus of the greater value of pair work done outside the household holds more value than work done in the household
- contributes tot thee invisibility of hestian work
What is the co-repsonsible option ini everyday life?
Recognizes that we live in dual domains that require education for domestic literacy as well as for civic literacy
Why does hestian work get a bad rep?
One of the failure of feminism has been the lack of attention paid to reinforcing home making as a valid and worthwhile option for women and men
-feminists marginalized women who derive genuine satisfaction and a sense of self worth from activities in the hestian domain
They minimize the complexities of hestian work in everyday life. Leaving it to others to think about and provide it
Why does time put pressure on parents?
Mother have 28 fewer min leisure time/day chopped up into tiny segments
A lot of parenting work is invisible (biological clock, work clock, family meals)
Invisible mental organization
what is invisible mental organization?
- Often done by women
- Called contaminated time: mental pollution of brain stuffed with other demands leads to feeling overwhelmed and a decrease sense of wellbeing
What other pressures do parents feel they have to do in terms of time?
Getting a lot of advice on what parents should be doing with their time
- cook and spend more quality time
- Lean in at work and make sure your kid is involved in extra curricular
In the preclassical era, what was the historical perspective eon hestian and hermean systems?
House is a self contained unit in a self contained biosystem
- little public/political world involvement
- Characteristics of primitive societies
In the classical era what was the historical perspective on hestian and hermean systems?
In the 7th centuryBC was the rise of Christianity, fall of the Roman Empire and start of the early Middle Ages
- State and private world becoming separated
- Household still connected to public world equal value to society
In the industrial era what was the historical perspective on hestian and hermean systems?
Complete separation of domestic and political worlds
- Work is now centred outside the home
- Family shifted from production to consumption
In the present day era what was the historical perspective on hestian and hermean systems?
Family and household overshadow by business and commercial world
- Family values not always high on government agenda
- Families get little attention until something goes wrong
What is the profession of HEc concerned with?
Application of knowledge in the service of some component of society toward a valued social end goal
-an integrated holistic system
What does HEc profession seek to create?
Create and maintain an optimum balance between people and their environment
-Can teach many literacies that are needed to achieve and maintain quality of life
What does it mean to become family literate?
Focus on essential life skills, home economic is an academic discipline (and profession) which meets that need)
- Form of education and practice is needed to help individuals become family literate
- Families provide the glue that holds society together and keeps it functioning
What is the ultimate goal of all literacies?
Behaviour change
- this is difficult though
- need to understand role of values, attitudes, beliefs, habits, experiences and cultural backgrounds (systems/holistic approach)
What is work life balance?
Implies a trade off
-roles aree viewed as competitors for time and emotional energy
What is work life integration?
Work and family are essential life roles that ideally should be harmonized
-similar to hestian/hermean in which these roles exist in relation to one another
What is work life imbalance
Affects individuals, families, employers and communities
- jeopardizes quantity and quality of time spent with loved ones
- costs employers billions in absenteeism and results in increase health care costs
What are the effect of societal influences?
- Work and role overload
- Workaholism
- Stress
- Work life imbalance
What can you expect to see in work and role overload?
Long and hard working hours Unreasoable workloads Pressure to work OT Inability to take vacation Faster, high-stress work environment Increased expectations with impractical and unrealistic deadlines
What can you expect to see in workaholism?
People who work long hours, focusing solely on their job and turning it into a compulsion or obession are considered workaholics
- exhauustion
- produce sloppy reults
- miss eadlines
- fail to complete projects
- work too quickly
What can you expect to see in stress?
Some see it as a positive but others feel overwhelmed by it. It can be triggered by:
- UUnreasonably long houurs
- role ambiguity
- Poor connection to managemnt
- Negative office politics
Can lead to prolonged stress= leaked immune system
What can you expect to see in work life imbalance?
Feeling frustration, inadequacy and guilt
Women enter professional practice during peak reproductive years
Negative consequences at home.work
What are some strategies that employees can do to achieve a better work/life balance?
Practice mindfulness Reframe and build resilience (don't put yourself down but ask how can you do it better) Set some boundaries with work and family Set goals and prioritize Look for flexible employers Take care of yourself Ask for help
What are some strategies that partners can do to achieve a better work/life balance?
Gender equality and role of men in families
-men taking more responsibility at home/in kitchen/as parent
What are some strategies that employers can do to achieve a better work/life balance?
Provide family friendly supoort Reward collaborative work Extend time limit for promotion Measure outcomes instead of hours logged Flexible working arrangements
What are some strategies that government can do to achieve a better work/life balance?
Parental leaves (both parents)
Providing economic security and meeting the needs of children for consistent nurturing care are critical but often conflicting roles
Affordable high quality childcare
