| Abstract |
Although we have an idealized idea of a "perfect" or "normal" family, there really is no such thing. All families have their own unique structures, challenges and strengths. Societal changes have led to alterations of ways people now think about family life and recognize a variety of family structures. Life in these family structures can be frustrating, yet satisfying. Family structures are continually changing. Today’s modern family quite often no longer consists of a mother, father and children in one household. Modern families are much more complex and harder to define and describe. In order to deal successfully with all of the various issues that are present in today’s modern families, family members often need to examine and explore their family structure, patterns, relationships and traditions. The Today’s Modern Family Issues Workbook provides assessments and self-guided activities to help family members explore old patterns of interaction and behavior which may no longer be effective, and identify ways to develop more effective interactions and behaviors. Many choices of self-exploration assessments and activities are provided for family members to use collaboratively with other family members to develop a healthy family unit. The Today’s Modern Family Issues Workbook is designed to be used either independently or as part of an integrated curriculum. You may administer any of the assessments and the guided self-exploration activities to an individual or multiple family members with whom you are working, or you may administer any of the activities over multiple sessions. Feel free to pick and choose those assessments and activities that best lead to the outcomes you desire. The assessments and activities are divided into four chapters to help you identify and select assessments easily and quickly: Chapter I: Family Identity. This chapter helps family members determine how effective they have been in establishing a new family identity of their own. Chapter II: Getting Along This chapter helps family members explore how well they get along, communicate and resolve conflicts that arise. Chapter III: Connecting This chapter helps family members identify how committed they are to each other, and how often they are tolerant and enjoy spending time to each other. Chapter IV: Rules & Boundaries This chapter helps family members explore how successfully the discipline, rules and boundaries have been established for the family unit. |
