OUR FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN – PART II

In part I we saw two muddles facing families. The family is untrained to raise children and the community is unable to focus on the unique needs of each family. Here we look at what’s affecting families and what can be done.

The Big Forces that Impact Families

Business targets individuals by age, sex, and class thereby splintering families with the powers of money.

Governments meddle in every part of family life in efforts to gain votes of individuals (families don’t have the vote).

The media promotes excesses to attract attention, viewing and spending.

The impact of these powerful forces is being multiplied by the ever expanding internet.

A Better Way - Eye on the Family

There are several simple family answers to these muddles. First, the family needs to take up more seriously its child raising job. Parents have lots of skills they use at work and in the community. Vision building, teamwork and decision making skills are also needed in families. Then, families can start insisting that the community resources focus on their special needs. Next, families need to start looking at their fitness, their social and spiritual lives. Families also need to turn attention to their own economy - working, spending and saving. E-mail and cell phones can strengthen their own communication.

What Libraries, Agencies, Churches and Businesses Can Do

Focus their attention on strengthening families.

• Focus their attention on strengthening families.
• Develop resource bases and make them available to families.
• Offer family network opportunities with new technology.
  

To sum it up, the organization that truly advocates for families will gain community trust.

With the combined impact of these powerful forces, it’s no small wonder THE FAMILY CHALLENGE is as large as it is. Share with us your opinion of these challenges by clicking on the “comment” button found below this blog.