1. Working With Families Aaron Johnson and Darien Anderson Week
6/7 Written Assignment Dr. Dietzel Keiser University EDU 511 June
22, 2014
2. The Nuclear Family Dual parent homes build on discipline and
modeling appropriate behavior, parents typically act as a team to
strengthen and reinforce behavior. Children tend to receive get
consistent messages about behavioral expectations. A two-parent
household is more likely to have higher consistency with raising
their children. Nuclear families tend to establish stronger bonds.
Children witness their parents' supportive and loving
relationships, which assists in social structures.
3. Grandparents acting as parents Grandparents face possible
limitations such as: feelings of being unwelcome, income
restrictions, and age or physical limitations (Aldridge &
Goldman, 2007). As a school leader it is important to determine why
the grandparents are caring for the child. The ability of the
grandparents capabilities must be considered when dealing with the
child in the areas of discipline, financial issues, academic
ability, or even their general hygiene. Single family homes,
nuclear families, and even foster care environments all present a
different atmosphere than that of a child raised by a grandparent.
The main difference is that while the grandparents may be willing
to raise the child, promise to love and respect the child, they may
not be physically capable in doing so like other family dynamic
structures.
4. Unmarried or Cohabitating Parents U.S. census data shows
that in 2012, 34.4 percent of adults aged 30 to 34 had never been
married compared to 6% in 1970 (Vespa, Lewis & Kreider, 2013).
Among all family groups with children under age 18, the number of
married-couple households raising children declined from 40 to 20%
between 1970 and 2012 (Vespa, Lewis & Kreider, 2013). This
situation has a greater risk of instability than a household with
married parents Children may have different last names than the
father Depression or a feeling of not belonging may arise in
children
5. Single Parent Household Authors Jablonska and Lindbergh
state, "Research on the impact of the family structure indicate
that growing up in a single- parent family is associated with
higher risk for substance abuse, adjustment problems, emotional
problems and delinquent behavior" (Jablonska, & Lindberg, 2007
p. 1). More than one fourth of all children in the United States
live with only one parent(Single Parent Families, 2013). Emotional
strain could be placed on the children in the case of a divorce or
death in the family unit Financial limitations, and parental
involvement may be constraints in the single family household
6. Gay and Lesbian Families Increasingly common alternative
family structure. Students could feel a sense of isolation, and
embarrassment due to the stigma attached to homosexual
relationships Older children may feel that gay parents are a social
liability Gay and lesbian families tend to hold more liberal
viewpoints and politics than heterosexual families(Flynn,2014). .
Research suggests that children of same-sex couples and children of
heterosexual couples have comparable intelligences, ethics, and
growth(Flynn,2014).
7. Bi-Racial Parents According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1/50
marriages are interracial which is four times the number compared
to1970(Alouise,1998) Children may adopt multi cultural heritage
Children may have multiple customs or beliefs Childrens racial
identity may be more identifiable with one parent
8. Administrators Plan Of Action Communicate with parents
early, and often Learn as much background data on students as
possible Familiarize yourself with students that possess behavioral
concerns possibly due to family instability
9. Fair, but not always equal Not all situations are the same
Build relationships with families before discipline issues arise
Recognize family dynamics are not always black and white scenarios
Treat each scenario on a case by case basis Explain your rational
to parents before making any decision
10. Dealing with Problem Parents Issue code of conducts at the
beginning of each year Remain fair, and unbiased in all situations
Recognize individualized beliefs, religions, and home lives of
students when making decisions Be open to advice, but make a ruling
that is justifiable by empirical evidence Implore parents to work
with the school, not against it Maintain an open door policy for
dealing with all parents concerns
11. Conclusion Remember the feelings of the children involved
within the family dynamic Realize issues may be out of the students
control Invite opportunities for positive praise and encouragement
Remember not every child comes from a nuclear family Maintain the
ability to be a role model, and a support figure
12. References Aldridge, J. & Goldman, R. (2007). Current
issues and trends in education,( 2 nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
Education, Inc. Alouise, N. J. (1998). Interracial Marriages and
the Effects on Children. Retrieved
fromhttp://academic.udayton.edu/race/04needs/s98alouis.htm Flynn,
S. I. (2014). Alternative Family Structures. Alternative Family
Structures -- Research Starters Sociology, 1-7. Single Parent
Families. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-
dynamics/types-of-families/pages/Single-Parent- Families.aspx
Vespa, J., Lewis, J. M., & Kreider, R. M. (2013). Americas
families and living arrangements: 2012. Washington, DC: US Census
Bureau. Retrieved November 8, 2013, from:
http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20- 570.pdf
