Building Family Strengths: Overview

Families are critical in the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social development of children. Research indicates that families are unique and individual, yet share common strengths. We must remember that . . .

• families are the source of love, protection, and identity for their members;
• all families have strengths, but many today face exceptional challenges; and
• families are the backbone of communities. Effective families contribute to positive individual development, a quality workplace and workforce, caring communities, and a heathy nation. All families must be strengthened through experiences which teach youth and adults coping skills, effective communications skills, effective decision-making, and an appreciation of heritage. Research recognizes the uniqueness and diversity of families and thus foster and support the idea that strong families:
• believe in open and honest
• COMMUNICATION
• experience CONTENTMENT with their lifestyle,
• have a sense of family HISTORY,
• have a sense of HUMOR,
• have a sense of OPTIMISM about life,
• exhibit RESILIENCY during change,
• have high SELF-ESTEEM,
• have a sense of SPIRITUALITY,
• encourage UNITY and family
• togetherness, and
• share common VALUES.

STRONG FAMILIES BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES

COMMUNICATION

Strong families communicate easily and well - frequently, openly, clearly, and directly. They do a good deal of sharing of themselves - their feelings, hopes, dreams, fears, joys, sorrows, experiences, growth, and needs.

Perhaps the most important communication skill is listening. Active listening is essential to effective family communication and is vital to hearing and being heard in the family unit.

"The presence of an effective communication pattern is one of the most frequently mentioned characteristics of strong families." -Swihart, 1988

CONTENTMENT

Strong families base their life style on what they can afford and can reasonably enjoy - on a concept of stewardship that stresses gratitude for what they have, not whining after what they do not have. Contentment is the state of being happy enough with what one has or is; not desiring something more or different. Contented families are steadfast and do not allow others to define for them what they have to be and have as a family.

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." -John Wooden

HISTORY

Strong families have a need for connection to the past - they have a history and are affected by that history. Family history provides ROOTS, a sense of belonging.

Family history can be promoted by telling favorite family stories; teaching important events/activities to family members; keeping up with family members when they move away; going to family gatherings; communicating through letters, e-mails, video tapes, audio tapes, etc.; making sure children know their family members; keeping family traditions alive; and remembering special family vacations or outings.