The Family as a Caring Unit - PDST



The Family as a Caring Unit

A Role is the pattern of behaviour considered appropriate to an individual.

Role Conflict

Role conflict may arise because of the many roles a person plays. Role conflict happens when the expectations of a person in one role clash with what is expected in another role. For example, a father with a newborn baby may find it difficult to spend time at work and at home helping with the baby.

A Parent’s Role in the Family include to:

● Reproduce.

● Nurture – caring for young children.

● Teach children values and morals so they become well rounded individuals.

● Educate and discipline to children.

A Child’s Role in the Family include to:

● Behave in a certain way that is acceptable at home which will help them to successfully integrate into society.

● Acquire knowledge formally and informally.

● Achieve gradual independence.

An Older Person’s Role in the Family:

● Older people may provide support for other members of the family through child-minding, etc.

● Grandparents often indirectly teach young people respect and can be a great emotional support for children or grandchildren.

Gender Issues in Relation to Family Roles

1. Increased equality between men and women in home.

2. Increased number of one-parent families so male and female roles are less defined.

3. Men are more involved in childminding and running the home.

4. There are more women in the workforce, therefore earning an income is no longer a role just for men.

5. Education is equally important for men and women.

Social Factors Affecting the Changing Roles of Family Members

1. There is a large percentage of women working outside the home, therefore roles are not segregated as they were in the past.

2. A decline in the traditional extended family, move towards nuclear family which is more egalitarian.

3. Increased life span of the older generation so more grandparents are involved in child rearing and social development.

Economic Factors Affecting the Changing Roles of Family Members

1. Both parents working due to cost of living in Ireland so both are involved in home management.

2. Dual income leads to a higher standard of living.

3. More young people going to third-level college so financially dependent on parents for longer.

4. State benefits for elderly e.g. medical cards mean they are financially independent.

Rights of the Child within the Family (under 18)

❑ Right to life.

❑ Right to a name.

❑ Right to basic needs e.g. food.

❑ Right to develop physically, mentally, socially, morally and spiritually.

❑ Right to protection from all forms of abuse and neglect (state intervention – foster care).

❑ Right to education, leisure and activities.

❑ Children with a disability have the right to special care, education and training.

Child-Parent Relationships

1. Children are dependent on their parent(s) e.g. food, clothes.

2. Psychological needs of children include love, protection and security.

3. When children get older need more encouragement and praise for self-esteem.

4. Learning should be encouraged e.g. reading bedtime stories.

5. Discipline is necessary to learn acceptable behaviour e.g. sharing toys.

Adolescent-Parent Relationships

1. Adolescents need more privacy.

2. Given more freedom.

3. Given more responsibility e.g. to help baby-sit younger siblings, help with household chores.

|Role conflict for adolescents (teenagers) |Dealing with conflict |

|Adolescents expect more freedom and the original rules to |Openness-Rules and expectations should be clear e.g. you must |

|change. |be home before 10 o’clock on a school night. |

|Peer groups can influence their decisions. |Compromise. |

|New relationships interfering with school and study. |Try to empathise and understand the other’s point of view. |

|Smoking, alcohol and drugs may be a source of conflict. |Communicate (talking and listening to each other is key). |

Why is communication so important within the family?

1. Communication can help self-esteem of children with praise and encouragement.

2. Family members will learn how others feel about certain issues e.g. they may feel they do more house chores than other siblings.

3. Communication can prevent stress.

4. Conflict can be resolved by communication e.g. compromise.

|How family helps family members with special needs |Statutory services available to help family members with special needs |

| | |

|Emotional support e.g. listen. |Special schools e.g. St. Mary’s School for Deaf Girls. |

|Help with everyday activities. |National Disability Authority (NDA) promotes the rights of people with |

|Modify the home e.g. bedroom downstairs for wheelchair user. |disabilities. |

|Encourage independence. |The Equality Authority helps prevent discrimination in employment. |

|Apply for social assistance and grants. |Comhairle provide info on social services. |

| |Rehab Group provide training and care for people with disabilities. |

| |Psychiatric hospitals help people with mental disabilities. |

|Voluntary services available to help family members with special needs|

| |

|Irish Wheelchair Association. |

|National Association of the Deaf. |

|National Council for the Blind of Ireland. |

|Enable Ireland. |

|AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access and Disability). |

|Alcoholics Anonymous. |

|Alateen (helps teenage children affected by alcoholism). |

|Narcotics Anonymous. |

Family Law

The Family Law (Maintenance of Spouse and Children) Act 1976

❖ Dependent child = child under 18 years, child under 23 years in education or a child dependent due to a disability.

❖ Maintenance is financial support paid by a person for the benefit of a dependent spouse and dependent children.

❖ Both parties may agree maintenance details.

❖ If they cannot agree, an application may be made to the District of Circuit Court.

The Family Home Protection Act 1976

The family home cannot be sold or re-mortgaged without both spouses (husband and wife) agreeing.

Domestic Violence Act 1996

Spouses can apply to the court for a safety, barring or protection order if they or dependent children are under threat of any violence from any family member.

If any of the court orders are breached the individual can be fined or imprisoned.

Judicial Separation Act 1989

This act allows the court to grant a decree of judicial separation. A couple apply to the court if they cannot agree on separation agreements or only one partner wants to separate.

Child Care Act 1991

Sets conditions to ensure the care and protection of children

Allows health boards to remove children from the family home in cases of neglect or abuse.

Children Act 1997

Enables unmarried fathers to become joint legal guardians of a child without having to go to court. Both parents must sign an agreement in presence of a Peace Commissioner.

What is a Will?

❑ A will is a written document containing your instructions and wishes as to how your property and assets are to be distributed after your death.

Why is it Important to Make a Will?

1. Your wishes will be carried out.

2. Your property goes to the people you choose.

3. It reduces conflict in the family.

4. The people receiving the inheritance will pay less tax to the government.

Procedure for Making a Will (how do you make a will?)

1. You must be over 18 or have been or be married.

2. You must be of sound mind to make a will.

3. A solicitor best writes it.

4. List all assets owned e.g. property, savings and shares.

5. Give details of the beneficiaries (people getting the inheritance) e.g. names and addresses.

6. Appoint an executor (person will make sure the will is abided by).

7. Allocate assets to the beneficiaries.

8. Include funeral and burial arrangements.

9. If you have children, you may want to nominate guardians.

10. It must be signed and dated by 2 witnesses.

11. Put the will in a safe place e.g. bank.

12. Make sure people know where it is kept.

13. It should be amended if necessary through out one’s life e.g. if they have more children.

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(c)PDST Home Economics

(c) PDST Home Economics

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