Module 5: Family Life & Wellness

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this module, scholars will be able to:

  1. Understand the role of socialization in shaping communication patterns within families and communities.
  2. Analyze the dynamics of arguments within families and their impact on relationships and communication.
  3. Examine the various structures and functions of families, including their processes and roles within society.
  4. Evaluate the concept of parental investment and its significance in family dynamics and child development.
  5. Compare and contrast different types of parenting styles and their effects on family cohesion and individual well-being.
  6. Investigate the unique challenges and opportunities faced by immigrant and refugee families in maintaining their cultural identity and connections while adapting to new environments.
  7. Explore the motivations that drive immigrant and refugee families to migrate and the impact of these motivations on family dynamics.
  8. Assess the importance of family connections and identity in the context of immigrant and refugee experiences.
  9. Examine the concept of family obligation and its implications for decision-making and support networks within immigrant and refugee families.
  10. Analyze strategies for achieving aspirations and overcoming challenges within immigrant and refugee families.
  11. Identify contextual risks faced by immigrant and refugee families, including socio-economic, political, and cultural factors.
  12. Evaluate the process of resettlement and its effects on family dynamics, relationships, and well-being.
  13. Explore the influence of technology on family communication, relationships, and interactions.
  14. Examine strategies for promoting healthy family dynamics, including effective communication, conflict resolution, and boundary-setting.

KEY TERMS & CONCEPTS

  • Acceptability
  • Accessibility
  • Accommodation
  • Acculturation
  • Affordability
  • Ambiguity
  • Ambiguous loss theory
  • Anonymity
  • Approximation
  • Ascribed status
  • Behaviorism
  • Beliefs
  • Blended families
  • Blood cell arguments
  • Childhood instability
  • Children with grandparents
  • Closed family system
  • Cognitive Model
  • Cohabiting families
  • Control of sexuality
  • Core issues
  • Critical theories
  • Digital jealousy
  • Directional arguments
  • Dominating parents
  • Double ABC-X stress model
  • Economic support
  • Emotional support
  • Enmeshment
  • Extended families
  • Family cohesion
  • Family communication
  • Family functions
  • Family identity
  • Family processes
  • Family resilience framework
  • Family systems
  • Gender differences
  • General Fertility Rate (GFR)
  • Human ecology framework
  • Individuation
  • Immediate families
  • Immigrant paradox
  • Leukemia’s of arguments
  • Massive bleeding arguments
  • Mentoring parents
  • Mood
  • Morphogenesis
  • Morphostasis
  • Non-directional arguments
  • Non-verbal cues
  • Nuclear family
  • Olson’s circumplex model
  • Open family system
  • Phubbing
  • Problem resolution strategies
  • Procreation
  • Resue parents
  • Same-sex cohabiting/married families
  • Self-worth
  • Shame
  • Situational inequality
  • Social network theory
  • Socialization of children
  • Socioeconomic status (SES)
  • Stepfamilies
  • Systems theory
  • Values

INTRODUCTION 

This module explores the intricate dynamics of family life and wellness, emphasizing the importance of communication and connection within various family structures. We begin by examining the role of socialization and communication in fostering strong family bonds and how arguments can be navigated constructively to maintain healthy relationships. The module also examines different family structures, highlighting the processes and functions that sustain them. This includes parental investment and functions as well as diverse parenting styles that contribute to a supportive family environment.

The discussion extends to the unique challenges and strengths of immigrant and refugee families, focusing on family motivation, connections, and identity. We explore the concept of family obligation and how these families strive to achieve their aspirations amidst contextual risks and the resettlement process. The module also considers the impact of technology on family interactions, both positive and negative. Finally, we address strategies for making healthy families, offering insights into practices that promote overall family wellness and resilience. By understanding these various aspects, readers can gain a comprehensive perspective on fostering healthy, connected, and resilient family units.

License

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Living Together Copyright © by Vera Kennedy and Cintia Quesada is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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