The Extended Family

Marriage and family life

It does not take too much insight to realize that families today look much different from the way they did just a generation or two ago. The idyllic picture of mom, dad, and two or three children living happily down the street in the house with the white picket fence is just not as likely today. Family situations vary widely, and educators not only must know what those possibilities look like but must be ready to work effectively with diverse family patterns (Hildebrand, Phenice, Gray, & Hines, 2000). In the following paragraphs, a number of important family characteristics are described to help you better understand the diverse mix you will encounter in your future classroom. For each of the family characteristics identified, some general implications are presented. Be aware that although these implications may be typical, each family situation is unique. For example, although many single parents may find it difficult to commit the time and energy needed to be involved in the schools, single parents in your future classroom may not fit this pattern.

The Extended Family

Not too many years ago, it was fairly common to find families and their relatives living in the same community or general area. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents were available to help with child care and give advice on how to parent. This support system was often helpful, especially to new parents as they struggled with the many challenges of raising children. Although some of these extended families still exist, they are now the exception rather than the rule. Despite the fact that many parents still need and want the support the extended family provided, few have found an adequate replacement (Berger, 2004). Teachers and schools can assist in this process by helping parents create a network with other families in similar situations to provide one another with support. In some instances, the extended family provides the primary care for young children.

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 1351