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Running head: FAMILY DYNAMICS- THE FAMILY AS A CLIENT The Family as a Client: A Comprehensive Approach to

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Nursing & Family Culture 1 FAMILY DYNAMICS- THE FAMILY AS A CLIENT 2 The Family as a Client: A Comprehensive Approach to Nursing & Family Culture The family is the basic social unit. Each family has its unique way of life, due to certain factors that play a role on the family unit. These factors are influenced by a concept known as “Family Culture”. Family culture involves a set of experiences, and behaviors that drive the actions of a family unit. Defined values, roles, distribution, and use of power within a family unit are aspects influencing the family’s culture. Values can be drawn from outside sources or derived unconsciously from the family itself. These values are beliefs of the family considered to be important in shaping the way they live, is retained over generations and guides the actions of the family. Roles are the assumed parts that each member plays within the family. Roles may be assigned to any member of the family and may range from caretaker to breadwinner. Distribution of power refers to the possession of control, authority, or influence over members of the family. Traditionally, the father assumed most of the power, but with increased diversity, variations now exist. The nurse is an asset in promoting the family’s health and wellness despite misconceptions the family may hold in each aspect of family culture. Values held by families may not be safe or ideal despite the practices being enforced over many generations. For example, some families value genital mutilation and overlook the effects this may have on the wellbeing and health of the child. It is important for the nurse to educate the family on the psychological and physiological effects of genital mutilation. Family dynamics have become varied over time, and we see an increase in diverse types of family structures. In today’s world, the perception of the term “family” has evolved due to social changes, increasing acceptance of alternative lifestyles, and increasing diversity. For example, with more women entering the workforce, the role women play within the household has evolved. Additionally, with the United FAMILY DYNAMICS- THE FAMILY AS A CLIENT 3 States being a melting pot of cultures, varying types of family structures and dynamics have emerged, especially in large metropolitan areas where many cultural and ethnic groups reside. Media has also contributed to these changes and acceptances, with more gay, multiracial and multi-generational families being represented. “The Changing American Family” (2013) by Natalie Angier, covers a variety of families in the United States, and how changes to these family structures have impacted the family unit as well as the community. A few of the major structures included were same sex parents, incarcerated parents and their bonding relationships with their children, and cohabiting parents. There are individual needs involved with such families and the nurse plays a vital role in addressing these needs. It is essential for the nurse to tailor the level and plan of care according to the family’s unique situation. The nurse must assess the psychological, physiological, developmental, sociocultural and spiritual wellbeing of the child living with gay parents to assess stability in the home environment. These interventions will help the child adjust and function in different situations and social contexts as the child navigates everyday life. The child may be ostracized by some family members or social groups. Children of parents who are incarcerated face numerous problems related to their emotional wellbeing and mental health. These children may experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect. In addition, these children are more likely to have faced exposure to drug and alcohol abuse in their homes than other children (Gleeson, 2007). It is important for the nurse to collaborate with therapists or psychologists to help this population. By doing so, the family is encouraged to speak with the child about the incarceration and help to facilitate visits and communication between the incarcerated parent and the children to maintain a strong bond. Cohabiting families are another type of family structure that has emerged, where couples choose to live together postponing marriage; children from previous relationships may also be FAMILY DYNAMICS- THE FAMILY AS A CLIENT 4 involved. Two important tenets of family centered care are the need for information and the need for reassurance and support. It is therefore important for the nurse to assess this family structure by gathering the pertinent information regarding the family’s knowledge on contraceptives, adoption, marriage, abortion and child rearing. Having garnered this information, the nurse can now formulate a plan of care that would address each anomaly of the cohabiting family. The nurse may collaborate with Planned Parenthood, as well as a financial adviser who would be able to help the couple with financial planning. It is important for the nurse to assess the home conditions of kids of cohabiting families, especially where a step parent is involved, and try to prevent incidences of child abuse, or address any current issue related to child abuse. In conclusion, the family is the basic social unit. Family culture impacts the way a family operates, based on values, roles and distribution of and use of power. The nurse is a vital asset in assessing the factors within each family and teaching the family how to adjust any practice to promote health. These vast variations in family dynamics have been a great contributor to the diversity amongst families in today’s world. With diversity, we see changes in family structure which may include cohabiting families, incarcerated and gay parents. With such changes, it is important for the nurse to recognize each household as being a whole unit, assess any area in which the family is lacking, and implement appropriate nursing interventions. FAMILY DYNAMICS- THE FAMILY AS A CLIENT 5 References Angier, N. (2013, November 25). The Changing American Family. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/health/families.html?pagewanted=all Children of Incarcerated Parents. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://youth.gov/youth-topics/children-of-incarcerated-parents Rector, C. (2018) Community and Public Health Nursing: Promoting the Public’s Health (9thth Ed.) New York, NY: Wolters Kluer. Pp 630-643 Drug Endangered Children. (2010). Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/ondcp/dec-info Gleeson, J. F. (2007). Psychotherapies for the Psychoses. doi:10.4324/9780203937976 Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Findings. (2012, December). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHmhfr2012/NSDUHmhfr2012.pdf Furstenberg, F. 1999. Family Change and Family Diversity http://repository.upenn.edu/sociology_papers/22
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