Chapter 1 A Close-Up View of You 19
can help their families maintain a loving family
environment by showing respect for the ideas,
requests, and feelings of their parents. This will help
them listen and show respect for the teens’ thoughts
and feelings. Honest, open communication between
teens and parents can help prevent problems from
arising.
Family Structure
The structure of a family can infl uence many
areas of a child’s life. A family may include any
combination of father, mother, children, grand-
parents, or other relatives. Many families include
stepparents and stepchildren as well. Changes in
family structure often affect the family’s ability to
provide a stimulating environment. For instance,
after a divorce, there may not be enough money for
all the children’s needs. The addition of a newborn
is likely to reduce the amount of time parents
have to listen, share, encourage, and guide other
children. Changes in family structure can also
introduce new relationships, as when single parents
marry and a stepparent enters the family.
Whatever the family structure may be, it is
important that the family fulfi lls its functions and
meets the needs of each family member. Some-
times others, such as grandparents, older siblings,
or stepparents, help make this happen. Sometimes
families turn to resources outside the family, such
as child care centers, babysitters, or community
youth leaders.
The Infl uence of Siblings
A sibling is a brother or sister. Siblings can be
a source of fun and understanding, but they can
also be a source of confl ict and competition.
A family environment that includes siblings can
be benefi cial because siblings can learn much from
each other. An older sibling can teach a younger
sibling certain skills. Siblings often become good
What kinds of activities in a family environment
could help a teen grow to maturity?
The Family and the Teen Years
The family can help teens through the changes
of adolescence by providing a loving and caring
environment that encourages growth. Such an
environment will help both you and your family
cope with changes as you become more indepen-
dent. A caring environment will also help you
accept your identity and develop positive relation-
ships with others.
One way a family can encourage a teen’s
growth is to allow the teen more opportunities to
make personal decisions. Suppose, for instance, a
teen wants to go on a school-sponsored trip. After
discussing it with his parents, he could take the
responsibility for making the needed arrangements.
Earning the money for the trip could be his
responsibility, too. Taking more responsibility helps
the teen develop his own capabilities for decision
making (Figure 1.13).
Parents also need time to adjust as teens
develop and mature. Adolescents may be changing
faster than their parents can keep up with. Teens
Give some examples of behaviors you would
expect to see in a family that provides consistent
care for a child. How might a child’s growth and
development be affected by care that was not
consistent?
©iStock.com/Chris Bernard Photography Inc.
Figure 1.13 Assuming more responsibility, such as
the responsibility for paying for a trip, can help teens
develop decision-making skills.
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.