Contemporary Society: Reflection on Family Concept Essay

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of family as it is reflected in contemporary society. It begins with a definition of family, distinguishing between nuclear and extended family structures and highlighting the shift from traditional kinship-based societies to modern family dynamics. The essay examines the impact of the industrial revolution on family structures, emphasizing the rise of nuclear families and the influence of working hours on family socialization. It then explores the framework of family strengths, including the importance of values like respect, honesty, and the benefits of family meetings in decision-making, and the role of family in enhancing healthcare practices. The essay concludes by emphasizing the significance of positive communication and the application of family strength approaches in nursing education and daily life. The provided bibliography includes various sources that support the arguments presented in the essay.

CONCEPT OF FAMILY AS REFLECTED IN THE CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
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Description
A family can simply be defined as a group of people living together who are connected
by blood or marriage. A family is a social group which is characterized by the same
reproduction, economic cooperation, and a common residence. It contains adults from both sexes
and children and at least two of the adults should contain a sexually approved relationship. There
are two common types of families which are nuclear and extended families. A nuclear family
comprises of a father and mother and one or more children owned or adopted and it is believed to
be found in all societies. However, extended family comprises of three generation which is
grandparents, parents, and children. It is an extension of the nuclear family (Patterson,
DeBaryshe & Ramsey, 2017, p.29). Unlike the western society where a man is only supposed to
marry one wife many societies practice polygamous marriages where a man can marry more than
one wife. A family can be extended if the grandparents, sisters, and brothers of the married
couple decided to stay together. This is mostly practiced by Indians.
Family as reflected in contemporary society
Societies were divided into kinship during the pre-industrial period in which people
descended from a common ancestor. In traditional societies, lineages may contain hundreds or
even thousands members and they see each other as relatives. Any family member is free to
graze or farm in the land which is owned by their lineage. According to Fraser, Waters, Forster
& Brown (2017), working class or able family member are highly encouraged to support their
relative and even the society financially by providing them with shelter, food, clothes and even
healthcare services to protect them from infections. The industrial revolution is believed to have
progressively undermined and disrupted the existence of extended families simply because men
were drawn out of their home and absorbed in industries where they were supposed to work in

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order to provide to their families. Movements of individual and long working hours really
affected the socialization of families as stated by Barnes & Rowe (2013). Family structures
nuclear structure because individuals want to lead private lives. The family is now focused on
having a private home where a mother and father can live with their kids.
Feelings and Evaluation: Family strengths as a framework
Families just like several organizations operate in specific values which makes so much
attached and close to each other strengthening their love and respect to each other. In cases
where a family does not have some values in which they should operate within, they can arrange
a meeting to have four to five values (Coyne, Frommolt, Rands, Kain & Mitchell, 2018, p.96).
For example, when a family learns how to respect each other even from the dinner table they are
able to extend the same to the other people and even the society at large. For enabling each
member of the family to participate in making the values also enables the family members and
kids to be in a position to make a decision in a situation which requires some emergency
responses. In cases where a family organizes some Thanksgiving dinners to appreciate each other
encourages kids and even adults to know how to be appreciative and thankful whenever other do
something good. By being able to follow the family values conflicts within the families are easily
solved and the relationship between family members becomes strong. Honesty is another key
value which kids can learn from the family values and it enables them to say the truth even if
they are wrong. Parents also are charged with the responsibility of teaching their children the
benefits of working hard so that they can be independent in future where they can be able to take
good care of themselves without depending on financial help from anyone according to Barnes,
Rowe & Roden (2013).

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Analysis: How family strength framework can be used as an approach to healthcare
practices
Families have been used as a pillar in enhancing healthcare practices. Nurses are able to
use the conceptual framework of family strengths as a way of promoting a strong and healthy
relationship in cases of stress and crises in a family. Family strengths build a strong positive
attribute in the family functioning which enhances unity and cooperation within the family
members as stated by Smith & Ford (2013). This value enables the family members to fully
participate in taking care of each other in cases of sickness by making sure that they have the
healthcare attention which they deserve. Spending time together with a sick family member
relieves them from stress and pain making them not feel isolated which can affect their health
condition.
Conclusion
Positive communication attribute as claimed by Jones & Welch (2018) is very essential
as it enables individuals to speak out of their health problems to the other family members
without any fear so that the appropriate medical attention can be given to them. Nurses have
been able to help individuals define their visions and hope for the future with family strength
approaches. Family strength approaches are applicable to nursing education and practices as well
as in our daily lives.
Action Plan
Like in any other group, a family is likely to have issues. In case of issues within the family
setting, it essential for those involved to resolve them peacefully and ensure continued unity.

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Bibliography
Barnes, M. and Rowe, J., 2013. Child, youth and family health: Strengthening communities.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Barnes, M., Rowe, J. and Roden, J., 2013. Locating the child, young person and family in
contemporary healthcare. Child youth and family health: Strengthening communities.
Coyne, E., Frommolt, V., Rands, H., Kain, V. and Mitchell, M., 2018. Simulation videos
presented in a blended learning platform to improve Australian nursing students' knowledge of
family assessment. Nurse education today, 66, pp.96-102.
Fraser, J., Waters, D., Forster, E. and Brown, N., 2017. Paediatric Nursing in Australia.
Cambridge University Press.
Jones, P. and Welch, S., 2018. Rethinking children's rights: Attitudes in contemporary society.
Bloomsbury Publishing.
Patterson, G.R., DeBaryshe, B.D. and Ramsey, E., 2017. A developmental perspective on
antisocial behavior. In Developmental and Life-course Criminological Theories (pp. 29-35).
Routledge.
Smith, L. and Ford, K., 2013. Communication with children, young people and families–a family
strengths-based approach. Child, youth and family health: Strengthening communities, pp.91-
110.