Family 2020
On Monday 23 March 2020 the President has announced a lockdown period for 21 days. In this time, we will need to support each other in many ways. In April we are celebrating Family, with family day coming up on 13 April.
Now, more than ever we need to show support to our loved ones and focus on the strength of our connection, even if we cannot physically see or visit each other.
We are here to support you and your Family in this difficult time and during your stay at home period. We will continue to provide counselling via digital platforms (E.g. Skype, WhatsApp video, Zoom) as well as Telephone counselling.
The True Meaning of Family
The definition of the word family can mean many things. From shared bloodlines and ancestors to a household made up of parents and children, these definitions seem better suited to explain words like relative or cohabitation rather than what a family consists of. These textbook definitions may have the technical terminology right, but they lack the core meaning, which is stability, love, trust, and support.
Types of Families
There are six different types of families we can see in our society today.
Nuclear Families
A nuclear family is two adults with at least one child. When most people think about a family, this is the kind of family they imagine. However, there are different kinds of nuclear families. Some have many children while others have only one. Some have a mother and a father while others have two parents of the same gender. Some have biological children, and others have adopted or foster children. These are all nuclear families.
Single-Parent Families
In a single-parent family, there is only one adult who is raising children. The other parent might not be there for many different reasons – death, divorce, etc.
Blended Families (Stepfamilies)
A blended family forms when one single parent marries another single parent. They have blended (mixed/put together) two families.
Grandparent Families
Sometimes, for various reasons, a child is raised by his/her grandparents instead of his/her parents. When grandparents are raising their grandchildren without help from the children’s parents, this is a grandparent family.
Childless Families
Not all families have children. Some couples choose not to have children, and some couples are not able to have children, but they are still a family.
Extended Families
An extended family might include one or two parents, children, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and/or cousins all living together. As grandparents get older, they might move in with their adult children and grandchildren. Or if a spouse (husband or wife) dies, another adult family member might move in to help with the children. There are many reasons why a family might live together in this way.
Friends can also be family
There is a common saying that goes something like, "Friends are the family you choose," and that couldn't be more accurate. Friendships are our chance in life to choose the human beings we want to surround ourselves with, becoming the family members we want to have. We look for personalities that click and balance our own. Similar interests and hobbies. Not too judge-y, while still being supportive and reliable. There really is something to say about the friends in our lives that have seen some ugly times along with the pretty ones and still choose to stick around. They are with you because they want to be, not because they must. Something about that brings a sense of security and confidence to the relationship.
Family Conflict
Conflict can happen when family members have different views or beliefs that clash. Sometimes conflict can occur when people misunderstand each other and jump to the wrong conclusion. Issues of conflict that are not resolved peacefully can lead to arguments and resentment.
It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time. Occasional conflict is part of family life. However, ongoing conflict can be stressful and damaging to relationships. Some people find it difficult to manage their feelings and become intentionally hurtful, aggressive or even violent.
Communicating in a positive way can help reduce conflict so that family members can reach a peaceful resolution. This usually means that everyone agrees to a compromise or agrees to disagree.
Common causes of family conflict
It is well recognised that some of the stages a family goes through can cause conflict.
These may include:
Learning to live as a new couple
Birth of a baby
A child becoming a young person
A young person becoming an adult.
Each of these stages can create new and different stresses and potential conflict.
Changes in the family situation can also take a toll on the family and contribute to conflict. This may include events such as:
Separation or divorce
Moving to a new house or country
Travelling long distances to work
Change in financial circumstances
Professional advice
Professional Counsellors are available to help family members work through difficult issues of conflict. Seek professional advice if you think you need some assistance.
We are here for you.
For Professional Confidential Counselling, Training and Life Skill Programmes contact PROCARE
Source:
https://vocal.media/families/the-true-meaning-of-family
https://eslblogs.waketech.edu/esl-english/2016/12/03/types-of-families/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/family-conflict