Family Tasks

1. Physical maintenance- a healthy family provides food, shelter, clothing and health care for its members.

2. Socialization of family members-involves preparing children to live in the community and to interact with people outside the family.

3. Allocation of resources- determining which family needs will be met and their order of priority- In healthy families, there is justification, consistency and fairness in the distribution- Resources include not only financial wealth but also material goods, affection and space

4. Maintenance of order- includes opening an effective means of communication between family members, establishing family values and enforcing common regulations for all family- In a healthy family, members know the family rules and respect and follow them

5. Division of labor6. Reproduction, recruitment and release of family members-7. Placement of members into the larger society- consists of selecting community activities, such as

school, religious affiliations or political group that correlate with the family’s beliefs and values.8. Maintenance of motivation and morale-defend family members against threats and serve as

support people to each other during crises

Family Stages

Stage I. Marriage and the family- couples adjust to each other; can be shaky; high rate of divorce and separation

- Establish a mutually satisfying relationship- Learn to relate well to their families of orientation- If applicable, engage in reproductive life planning

Stage II. The early child-bearing family

- Birth of first baby can be very stressful but exciting- Social role and economic changes- Health education is very important on how to take care of the child

Stage III. The family with preschool children

- Busy family- children at this age demand a great deal of time related to their GD needs and safety considerations

Stage IV. The family with school-age children

- Parents prepare their children to be able to function in a complex world while at the same time maintaining their own satisfying marriage relationship

- Trying time

- Important nursing concerns are monitoring children’s health in terms of immunization, dental care and health care assessment

Stage V. The family with adolescent children

- Goals: strengthen family ties and maintain family unity- Family must loosen family ties to allow adolescents more freedom and prepare them for life

on their own.

Stage VI. The launching center family

- Children leave to establish their own households- Most difficult stage- Represents breaking up of the family- Parents may have low self-esteem- they feel that they are being replaced by other people in

their children’s lives

Stage VII. The family of middle years

- Family returns to a two-partner nuclear unit- Partners may view this stage either as the primetime of their lives (an opportunity to travel,

economic independence and time to spend in hobbies) or as a period of gradual decline.

Stage VIII. The family in retirement or older age

- Some may suffer from chronic and disabling conditions than younger persons- They give support and advice to younger couples who are just beginning with their families- Many grandparents take care of their grandchildren