Answers:
50 Part 1 Decisions About Parenting
Recalling the Facts
1. What is a family of origin?
2. Name three of the ways a family can be
formed.
3. Explain the differences between adoptive
parents, foster parents, and guardians.
4. Name two advantages of the nuclear
family structure.
5. Identify the family structures described
as follows: (A) husband, wife, and their
biological or adopted children; (B)
an immediate family unit plus other
relatives; (C) husband and wife with
children from previous relationships;
(D) husband and wife; (E) a man or
woman raises his or her child or children.
6. Describe fi ve functions of the family.
7. What are the stages of the family life cycle?
8. Briefl y describe the parenting stages of
the family life cycle.
9. Explain the family systems concept that
parenting goes two ways—parent to
child and child to parent.
10. What are parents’ three overall goals for
children? Explain what causes parents to
be unique in the way they achieve these
goals.
11. Name one way each of the following
factors infl uences families: (A) culture;
(B) socioeconomic status; (C) early
relationships; (D) community; (E) media;
(F) technology.
12. What effect do parents have on children
and society?
Thinking Critically
13. Using Internet or print resources,
research and evaluate foster care laws
and regulations in your county or state.
Who can become a foster parent? When is
foster care necessary? How are children
placed in foster homes? How are children
monitored while in foster care? In small
groups, discuss your fi ndings.
14. Think about your family and your best
friend’s family. How do the families differ
in form, structure, and function? How are
they similar?
15. Watch a TV program based on family
life. Identify the family structure and
functions represented. Analyze the
relationships of the family members.
How did family members work together
in this family system? Do you think the
program realistically represents that
family structure and function? Write a
summary of your analyses.
16. Identify preventive or supportive services
in your community. Find out what services
they provide for families, especially
children. How can families receive these
services? Inquire about the benefi ts. Then
put your information into a pamphlet to
give to classmates and others your know.
17. Predict how media and technology will
impact families 10 years from now. How
will it impact families 20 years from now?