Family Life

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Family Life

• Mr. M. 7th grade Health

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We are a family

• Everyone belongs to a family
• Family - a group of people who are related by
  blood, adoption, marriage, or have a desire for
  mutual support

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Family Structures can Vary

• Traditional married families
• Single parent families
• Families built around partnerships
• Extended families (Grandparents, uncles, aunts,
  cousins, etc.)
• Foster families
• Temporary situations

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Extended Family

• All relatives in addition to parents, brothers,
  and sisters
• Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins
• Stepparents, stepbrothers, and stepsisters

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Functional Vs. Dysfunctional

• Healthful family family that has all the skills
  needed for loving, responsible relationships
• Dysfunctional family a family that lacks the
  skills to be successful and function in healthful
  ways

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No Family Is Perfect

• We all make mistakes
• All have strengths and weaknesses
• However, in Healthful Families, children can
  learn from their parents/guardians.
• What can you do? What can you learn?

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A Healthy Family

• Self Respecting Behavior
• Treating yourself in a healthful and responsible
  way
• No harm to oneself and cares for others (Not
  being self-centered)

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Clear Sense of Values

• Values - standards, principles, or beliefs of an
  individual.
• Do parents/guardians act consistent with the
  values they teach?
• Examples? Good? Bad?

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Responsible Decision Making

• Parents/Guardians set guidelines, expectations,
  and consequences
• Evaluate options before your decision and weight
  the consequences.

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Effective Communication

• Who can you rely on?
• Can you talk to a parent/guardian?
• Communication skills can be learned through
  parents and family.
• Are you an active listener? Do you have empathy
  for the person speaking?

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Dysfunctional Family Characteristics

• Chemical Dependency
• Addictions
• Perfectionism
• Violence
• Physical Abuse

• Emotional Abuse
• Neglect
• Sexual Abuse
• Abandonment
• Mental Disorders

Members relate to each other in destructive and
irresponsible ways
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Chemical Dependency

• Obtaining and using drugs
• Abusing prescription drugs
• Causes changes in thinking and behavior
• Increase in violence
• Increase in abuse
• Child is at risk of drug abuse

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Other Addictions/Disorders

• Eating Disorders
• Exercise
• Gambling
• Shopping
• Television
• Workaholic
• Perfectionism

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Violence

• Controlling
• Keep peace by avoiding disagreements
• Often times, between violent acts family member
  is kind, gentle, and apologetic (It can be a
  cycle.)
• Children can often blame themselves.
• At risk of becoming juvenile offenders

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Abandonment

• Absence of parent/guardian can cause pain,
  suffering, and confusion
• Can cause difficulty in future getting close to
  people.
• Push others away
• Or become overly needy

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Effective Communication Part II

• Treat others with love and respect
• Find changes in your own behavior
• Therapy (Individual and Group)
• Recovery Programs
• TELL SOMEONE!!
• Someone you trust
• Someone that can do something to help
• What are your resources for help?

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Empathy

• Every individual is different
• You never know what is going at home.
• Be sensitive to others
• Be alert
• TALK TO YOUR FAMILY!!