Family Policy Matters: How Policymaking Affects Families And What Professionals Can Do

Individualism: Individualism is the term that refers to the ways in which people identify themselves and focus their goals. Individualism gives priority to personal goals as opposed to the goals of a group or society. Once the men have stepped off the bus on Parris Island they give up every aspect of individualism, they are stripped of all valuables and given the same clothes and haircut which they will wear for the remainder of time. American cultures which are seen almost daily are the ability to voice your own opinion, choosing your personal perspective, and even just the choices you choose to make. Individualism is something that can differ between cultures, but most cultures share certain qualities.

This essay will look at how social policies and laws affect families in a positively or negatively. Some of the key concepts that will be touched upon will be how functionalist agree that social policies are positive due to the march of progress getting better due to laws in place. The essay will also look at how it negatively affects families, such as how feminist think social policies promote patriarchy in the family.

As Lyndon Baines Johnson says, “The family is the corner stone of our society. More than any other force it shapes the attitude, the hopes, the ambitions, and the values of the child. And when the family collapses it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale the community itself is crippled. So, unless we work to strengthen the family, to create conditions under which most parents will stay together, all the rest — schools, playgrounds, and public assistance, and private concern — will never be enough” (Danes). He believed that family is the base of the society. The way that family is set up affects children in all ways. Family structure is very important and that no matter what we do,

Family is a broad term to define. In the pre-modern times, family was one of the most important unit of society which consisted of two adults of the opposite sex sharing economic resources, accommodation, reproduction (Mitchell, 2012, Pg.6). A family consisted of two parents, the husband was considered to be a “breadwinner” (Mitchell, 2012, Pg.6), while the wife was the homemaker who stayed home and took care of children. The Standard North American Family (SNAF) consists two adults of the opposite sex who are married and they share both traditional and gender roles (Mitchell, 2012, Pg.6). It is foundational for understanding families in Canada because for a lot of people, it is their identity.

Do you stand alone as a unique and special individual? Since the beginning of American history there have been struggles for individualism. The American Revolution, the American Civil War, and the separation from family life are all examples of individualism in American history. Individualism is an American paradigm designed by the modern societal structure that is an altered idea of the foundation by immigrants. In today’s society the struggle for individualism is more personal and represents how American values have shifted since the beginning of American history.

Recognize Families as They Really Are?” Families As They Really Are. Risman, Barbara J. Ed. W.W. Norton & Co., 2010, pp.75-90.

Society functions in a manner accepting of the differences within people; and the innumerable qualities all individuals put forward. It is the differences within individuals that make for betterment of society; and allow the Canadian nation to be open and accepting of diversity. This notion of diversity is not only one which can be directed towards the large spectrum of society yet, to the family structures which impact it wholesomely, while too, holding effect upon their personal life and relationships. “The word “family” is used in various ways in popular usage, referring in different contexts to our parents, siblings, spouse and children, as well as referring to all the relatives sharing a household and the larger group of relatives with whom we may or may not maintain some contact”, (Baker, Page 3, 2014). Speaking to the level of family structures and whom one considers “family”; it is an area which each individuals should be allowed to dictate in their own manner and hold sole control over. As a nation and/or state focus should be directed at improving the quality of life and equality amongst all sectors of families; in addition to promoting diversity; rather than focusing on the small social and financial issues that Social Service Programs are in place to provide assistance for.

Family Law constitutes management of domestic relationships in contemporary society were changing social values evoke issues that legislative reform must try to rectify. These reforms enable recognition of rights of family members in dealing with contemporary issues, such as changing nature of parental responsibility, care and protection of children and same-sex marriage. In the past, a traditional family was the nuclear family unit, but in contemporary society it has become increasingly accepting of alternate family relationships. This changing social perception has incited law reform to effectively highlight contemporary issues in the media and lobby groups. Family law reform has been effective in protecting the disadvantaged, or those who cannot act to preserve their own rights - particularly children. However, a major criticism of legislative reform is the recurring problem of time delays, and ineffective adjustment to contemporary issues quickly. But, also if the law changes too quickly, it may become poor law - too broad or too narrow, contradictory and hard to enforce, thus non-effective.

Overview The Family Unit In human sociological terms, the family is described as a group of people that have affinity traditionally, organized through husband, wife, and children and/or extended relatives. This unit, called the nuclear family, was a historical organization that served economic and cultural needs, educated children in societal behaviors, and offered stability. In the modern age, however, families of all kinds exist. There may be one-two, three or more parents involved in the child's overall plan; those parents may be traditional, grandparents or care-givers, same sex couples, or multiple divorces, etc. We live in a diverse world, not just in the United States, but globally. Preparing children for a leadership role in this world also requires that we take into account individual micro- and macro-differences, celebrate those differences, and view the family as assisting in any way possible the positive relationship of the community, the schools, and other resources to help those children actualize (Hareven, 1991; Berman, 2010).

The second question asked does it it, “help families avoid problems before they become serious crises or chronic situations that erode family structure and function?” This question would be not applicable for the policy. The

We trust that the family is one of the foundations of human progress. Our scholarly approach considers important approaches to develop our comprehension so as to get ready understudies as individuals from families themselves as well as proactive specialists of progress to discover approaches to fortify and esteem the family.

When thinking about aspects of family life policy makers must take into the consideration of the circumstances that a household may be in. Family life is important, and as stated By Mary Ann Lamanna, Agnes Riedmann, Susan D Stewart in Marriages, Families, and Relationships: Making Choices in a Diverse Society their vital function is to raise children responsibly, to provide economic support, and to give family members emotional security. The programs that should be designed are to help these families that have low income and need that assistance. The policies and practices should go towards promoting family well being, and supporting the functions and essentials that the families may need. Addressing all the major root problems whether its

Many people may think of individualism as being selfish, of only doing things for the benefit of oneself. While individualism puts oneself as above any groups, the philosophy is more concerned with freedom and independence from any group. An individualist wants freedom for all, and lives in society for the benefit of themselves rather than others. In this way, individualists have a stronger sense of personal identity, and are less likely to accept unbalanced power structures and

Families are a natural social structure. The widely accepted definition of family is “a group of two or more people related by blood, marriage, or adoption” (Medalie & Cole-Kelly, 2002, p. 1277). This definition is inclusive of the many different structures of families to allow for big, small, single parent, dual parent, gay and lesbian, heterosexual, adoptive, and biological. The family plays an integral part in the health of its members, which often leads to the stretching of the family unit beyond this definition to include extended family. The family unit is more than a collection of units. Culture and values play a large role in how families react and deal with issues

Current social policies often pathologize or penalize families that differ from a defined norm, ignoring the fact that families are diverse in composition and background and that the notion of a “normal family” is a falsity. By employing family systems theory, I will work to advance an inclusive perspective of what constitutes a family unit, and honor blended families, foster families, adoptive families, single-parent families, multi-general families, multicultural and multi-lingual, immigrant families, and other families that differ from “the norm.” I will act to make connections “between families and existing social, political, economic, and environmental structures;” to understand “structural conditions that impact family well-being;” and to ensure that families have access to resources needed to support change, growth, and positive development (Morgaine & Capous-Desyllas, 2015, p. 204). For example, I am passionate about social policies that have a dual- or multi-generational impact, such as childcare or universal preschool. I intend to employ the knowledge of FST in designing and implementing these policies to help families empower