The Significance of Families
Families represent the foundation of a society. When families are healthy and strong, communities thrive. There are many kinds of families, and therefore, many definitions of “family.” People who are significant to one another, whether related by blood, legal bonds, or bonds of friendship and community, may identify themselves as a family. Ultimately, “family” is self-defined.
The focus of the Family Support field is on families who are responsible for raising children. These families consist of at least one adult and one child who are related biologically, emotionally, or legally. Families may consist of one parent, two parents, grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, or they may arise from a need for mutual support.
Introduction to Family Support
As previously defined by Family Support America, Family Support is all of the following:
-
An approach to strengthening families and communities so that they can foster the optimal development of children, youth, and adult family members.
-
A type of grassroots, community-based program designed to prevent family problems by strengthening parent-child relationships and providing whatever parents need in order to be good nurturers and providers.
-
A shift in human services delivery that encourages public and private agencies to work together and to become more preventative, responsive, flexible, family-focused, strengths-based, and holistic – and thus more effective.
-
A movement for social change that urges policymakers, service providers, parents, and employers to take responsibility for improving the lives of children and families and ensuring they get what they need to succeed.
Family Support is based on the premise that the primary responsibility for the development and well-being of children lies within the family, and that all segments of society must support families as they raise their children. Family Support services include a broad array of activities designed to strengthen families. They help parents to raise their children successfully, to become self-sufficient, and to take an active role in their communities.