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Unit 1 Foundations and Trends in Family and Consumer Sciences
organizations are forward-thinking, anticipating
and adjusting to changes that will affect the family
in the coming years. The profession is setting
practices in place that will meet the needs of
families today and in the future.
Questions for Thought
1. Reread the story about Kathy, the recent
family and consumer sciences family finance
graduate seeking employment. What would
you do if you were in her situation?
2. Look at the website for two or three of the
family and consumer sciences professional
organizations described in this chapter or in
the chapter on your career field. Answer the
following questions for each:
• What is the mission of the organization?
• Who is eligible for membership?
• How much does membership cost?
• Is there a student rate for membership?
• What benefits are afforded to members?
• What resources are available online for
members and nonmembers?
3. It is easy to agree that people should have
their basic needs met, but ethical questions
sometimes arise in meeting those needs.
In recent years, homelessness has found a
new face in America. It is not only the face
of single men choosing to live on the streets
but also men, women, and children who have
no permanent place to live. They survive on
streets, in cars, and in shelters. They are
often poor, socially isolated, sometimes ill,
and sometimes alcohol or drug addicted.
Some are fleeing abusive relationships.
In many communities across the country,
conflict has arisen between the homeless,
those who have homes, and advocates for
both sides. Fundamental questions surround
the issue of homelessness. Is there a morally
right or wrong response? Respond to the
following questions:
• Do homeless people have a right to be
homeless if they want to be?
• Do homeless people have the right to
populate public spaces such as parks
and parking lots?
• Do people with homes have the right
to ban homeless people from their
neighborhoods?
• Do people choose to be homeless, or is it
always involuntary?
• Should homelessness be accepted as
an alternative lifestyle that is a part of
American diversity?
• What is the role for family and consumer
sciences professionals to play in
addressing the issue of homelessness?
4. Find a code of ethics for your intended career
field. How does it address the ethical issues
of honesty, competence, nondiscrimination,
confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and abuse
of power?
5. Discuss the following questions with other
students in your career or specialty area:
How are you learning to use technology
appropriately, sustain resources, promote
wellness, build capacity, and deal with
global interdependence? How will you use
the life course development or ecosystems
perspective in your work? How does your
field support individual well-being, strong
families, and vital communities? To what
extent will you be involved with meeting basic
human needs?
References and Resources
Adams, L. (2001). The family and its well-being.
Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences,
93(3), 19-21.
American Association of Family and Consumer
Sciences. (2012a). About us. Retrieved from
http://www.aafcs.org/AboutUs/index.asp
American Association of Family and Consumer
Sciences. (2012b) Code of ethics. Retrieved
from http://www.aafcs.org/AboutUs/
CodeEthics.asp
American Association of Family and Consumer
Sciences. (2012c). What is FCS?. Retrieved
from http://www.aafcs.org/AboutUs/FCS.asp
American Association of Family and Consumer
Sciences. (2011). Family and consumer
sciences, AAFCS, co-branding toolkit.
Retrieved from http://www.aafcs.org