Family Life Merit Badge

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Family Life Merit Badge

• Presented 2006
• Mrs. Sandberg

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Requirement 1

• What is a family? Basic unit of society
  consisting of one or more adults living together
  and cooperating in the care and rearing of their
  own or adopted children.
• Why are families important to individuals and
  society? People, especially children need
  families in order to survive. Families help care
  for their needs and teach them morals. Society
  benefits from the skills that families teach
  because individuals grow up to be productive
  citizens.
• How can the actions of one family member affect
  other family members? If you dont do you
  responsibilities, such as dishes, taking out the
  garbage, ect. other members of the family would
  have to do these and this could cause conflict.
  If a member of the family does something illegal
  it could have an emotional impact on the other
  members and could hurt financially.

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Requirement 2

• List several reasons why you are important to
  your family.
• Give at least six. Be sure to have you parents
  initial it and review them with your counselor.

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Requirement 3

• You need to get started on this one right away as
  it takes 90 days to complete.
• Pick 5 chores that you do at home. Write them
  under Duty 1, Duty 2, ect.
• Keep track of the dates that you do each chore.

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Requirement 4

• With the approval of your parents/guardian and
  counselor decide on and carry out a project that
  you would do around the house that would benefit
  your family. Submit a report stating what the
  project is and how it benefited your family.
• This is to be a project that you do on your own.

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Requirement 5

• Plan and carry out a project that involves the
  participation of your family.
• Answer the following questions
• What project did you plan and carry out?
• What was the objective/goal of your
  project?
• Tell how individual members participated.
• The results of the project were
• Possible projects Ring Bells for the Salvation
  Army, participate in Chain Reaction Day, help an
  elderly or handicapped person with yard work or a
  home repair, do something for your church.

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Requirement 6

• Discuss with you merit badge counselor how to
  plan and carry out a family meeting. Give a brief
  summary about what was discussed.
• Guidelines for a Family Meeting
• Meet at a regular time. Once a week and have
  meeting last 20-60 minutes.
• Make a list of topics. Post them in a location
  were everyone may see them and be able to add
  things.
• Plan the time. Decide how much time is needed
  for each topic and stick to it.
• Take turns being the leader.
• Take notes.
• Be sure that everyone takes part in the meeting
• Limit complaining.
• Do what you agree to do.
• Take time for fun. Plan something fun for the
  family to do after the meeting or during the next
  week.

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Requirement 6 continued

• Hold a family meeting.
• During the meeting discuss avoiding substance
  abuse. Write a brief summary.
• During the meeting discuss the growing up process
  and how the body changes and making responsible
  decisions dealing with sex. Have your parent
  initial.
• Discuss family finances and give brief summary.
• Discuss a crisis situation that could face your
  family and write a brief summary.
• Discuss the effects of technology on your family
  and write a brief summary.

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Requirement 7

• Discuss with your counselor what makes and
  effective father. Give a summary
• An effective father knows his children, what
  haunts and hurts them and what brings them joy
  and pleasure. An effective father also know when
  is child has had a bad day, or is upset about
  something. He will know the names of friends and
  encourage his child. A father will know strengths
  and weaknesses and when his child is embarrassed.
  He will do what he can to motivate his child.
  Effective fathers will actively pursue knowledge
  about what he can do to help his child blossom
  and prosper and also about danger signs to help
  his child avoid situations that could cause
  difficulties. Active and positive involvement by
  a father results in socially well adjusted
  children.

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Requirement 7 continued

• What are your thoughts on the role of a father in
  the family. Give several examples to support
  your thoughts.

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Requirement 7 continued

• Discuss with you counselor your understanding of
  the responsibilities of a parent.
• Parents control the care and upbringing of their
  children. This includes where to live, what
  school to attend, what religion to follow and
  what medical treatment to obtain. Parents may
  punish and discipline their children with reason.
  Parents may be responsible for damages caused by
  their child. Parents are legally responsible for
  their children until they reach the age of
  majority, which is usually 18, marry, or leave
  the home to support themselves.