Social Environment & Social Work:

The Family, Group, Community, and

Organizations
Course Code: SWK 2101
October 31, 2023 Outline
• Define what family is;
• Explain the importance of family in social
environment and social work;
• Articulate thoughts and feelings about the
topics covering the subject; and
• Demonstrate beginning competency in
assessing a family.
Definition of Family
Definition of Family
• “Family as the foundation of the nation…” –
Article XV, 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

• “The family is the natural and fundamental unit

of society.” - Section 1.04 Declaration of Policy, Republic Act No.
10354
Functions of the Family

https://open.lib.umn.edu/sociology/chapter/15-2-sociological-perspectives-on-the-family/
Types & Structure
NUCLEAR
Magulang at mga anak

EXTENDED FAMILY
Lolo, lola, at pinsan bukod sa mga magulang at
anak na nakatira sa iisang bahay

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE NUCLEAR

FAMILY
Lolo, lola, kasama ang iba pang mga kapatid na
may mga asawa na at mga anak bukod sa mga
magulang at anak na nakatira sa iisang bahay
Family Dynamics, Patterns, &
Boundaries
• Family dynamics are the patterns of relating, or interactions, between family
members. Each family system and its dynamics are unique, although there are
some common patterns.
• All families have some helpful and some unhelpful dynamics.
• Even where there is little or no present contact with family, a young person will
have been influenced by dynamics in earlier years. Family dynamics often have
a strong influence on the way young people see themselves, others and the
world, and influence their relationships, behaviours and their wellbeing.
• An understanding of the impact of family dynamics on a young person's self-
perception may help workers pinpoint and respond to the driving forces behind
a young person's current needs.

http://www.strongbonds.jss.org.au/workers/families/dynamics.html
 Examples of Family Dynamics
1. Authoritarian: In this example, the family is ruled by one person. This
person sets all the rules; those that do not comply are punished.
2. Authoritative: Authoritative dynamics involve rules and consequences, but
not in the same way as authoritarian dynamics. One individual sets the
rules while validating other family members’ feelings and respecting their
opinions. The authoritative family member stays in charge. They use
positive discipline such as reward systems and praise to reinforce good
behavior. They don't use threatening punishment for disobeying the rules.
3. Competitive: In a competitive family, the members are always in
competition to see who can do better than the others. They value being the
best and will do whatever it takes to get there.
https://study.com/learn/lesson/family-dynamics-roles-examples.html and https://www.betterup.com/blog/family-dynamics#:~:text=positive%20family%20dynamics.-,What%20are%20family%20dynamics%3F,their%20individual%20goals%20and%20preferences.
 Examples of Family Dynamics
4. Uninvolved: An uninvolved family dynamic is harmful and unfair. In
this situation, family members are neglected by a member that is
either not present or is physically present but does not give them any
attention.
5. Communal: Communal families are those in which every member
feels valued and knows that they can share their thoughts and
opinions.
6. Alliance-based: Alliance-based dynamics occur when some members
work together to use other members to get what they want.

https://study.com/learn/lesson/family-dynamics-roles-examples.html and https://www.betterup.com/blog/family-dynamics#:~:text=positive%20family%20dynamics.-,What%20are%20family%20dynamics%3F,their%20individual%20goals%20and%20preferences.

What influences family dynamics?
• nature of the parents'
relationship
• having a particularly soft or
strict parent
• number of children in the family
• personalities of family members
• an absent parent
• the 'mix' of members who are
living in the same household
• level and type of influence from
extended family or others
• a chronically sick or disabled child
within the family
• events which have affected family
members, such as an affair,
divorce, trauma, death,
unemployment, homelessness
• other issues such as family
violence, abuse, alcohol or other
drug use, mental health
difficulties, other disability
http://www.strongbonds.jss.org.au/workers/families/dynamics.html
What influences family dynamics?
• family values, culture and ethnicity, including beliefs about gender
roles, parenting practices, power or status of family members
• nature of attachments in family (i.e., secure, insecure)
• dynamics of previous generations (parents and grandparents families)
• broader systems- social, economic, political including poverty

http://www.strongbonds.jss.org.au/workers/families/dynamics.html
4Rs in the family: roles, rituals,
relationships, rules
https://www.scribd.com/document/481539168/4Rs-in-the-Family
Family Dynamic Roles
• Certain family dynamic roles can signify whether or not a family is healthy or
dysfunctional. These roles are assigned to different members of a family, and
they affect how members interact with one another. The roles control the
expectations other members have for each other and can help to maintain
balance. They can be positive or negative, depending upon how they are
fulfilled.
Family Dynamic Roles
• Hero: The hero role is given to the family member who is seen as the ''golden child.''
They are typically well-behaved overachievers. They may go overboard in their attempt
to maintain the image of perfection. They often are organized leaders with big goals
and plans to achieve them. This role is usually played out in dysfunctional families as
unattainable expectations are placed on a child. They feel the pressure to be perfect
and always do what everyone else wants them to do.
• Rescuer: The rescuer is the family member that is always doing everything for
everyone else. They place all of their energy on helping others, making sure others
have what they need, and trying to ensure that no one does anything they should not
do. They seldom focus on themselves and what they need. In dysfunctional families,
this person serves as the one who is left to fix everyone's problems.
• Scapegoat: This family member is the one that is usually labeled the ''trouble maker.''
They are the ones that the family can easily blame for their issues. They fail to follow
the rules and often exhibit self-destructive behavior. This role is seen in dysfunctional
families. The other family members often choose the weakest link and place all of
their blame on them, pretending everything is that person's fault.
Family Dynamic Roles
• Switchboard: The switchboard is the family member who has all of the information. They are
likely the ones keeping up with everyone's schedules for work, school, and appointments. This
family member is present in both healthy and dysfunctional families. In healthy families, this
person ensures that all the family members get everything they need and make it to all of their
commitments. In a dysfunctional family, this person may do these things because they feel the
weight of everything is on their shoulders and that they have to make sure everything runs
smoothly.
• Power broker: This is the family member that controls everything. They make sure that they
remain in the top spot so that they can maintain control. This person is present in both healthy
and dysfunctional families. In healthy families, they share some responsibility and do not wield
their power over others. In dysfunctional families, they thrive on controlling everyone.
• Lost child: The lost child is the member who makes themselves invisible to avoid conflict
within the family. They go along with whatever is expected of them to maintain peace and
order. They often have a hard time standing up for themselves and making personal decisions
because of their role. This role is typically seen in dysfunctional families. An example of this is
when a child is subservient and afraid of not complying out of a fear that they will make home
life worse if they do not comply. They think that always being good and following the rules
makes things easier and better.
Family Dynamic Roles
• Clown: The clown always makes jokes and kids around to lighten the mood.
They attempt to make things amusing so that they can deflect from real
problems the family has. This person can be seen in both healthy and
dysfunctional families. In dysfunctional families, they may feel pressure to
always save the day by making everyone laugh in problematic situations.
• Cheerleader: This family member supports and encourages others. They are
similar to the rescuer in that they help others, but they do not neglect their
own self-care in doing so. Cheerleaders are seen in healthy families.
• Nurturer: This person is the one that emotionally supports others. They are
there for everyone to help them through their problems. They often mediate
between different members. Nurtures are seen in healthy families.
Developmental life cycles and growth
processes of families
• https://www.scribd.com/presentation/533940145/Family-Roles-Structures-
and-Functions
• Page 11
Issues: i.e., Family-based (gender)
violence, concept of power
• Family issues, meaning problems within families, are a diverse array of familial
situations that lead to unpleasant and stressful emotions, such as anger, fear,
and anxiety. The term family refers to a group of related individuals, whether
related biologically or legally, who live in the same residence. Unmarried, long-
term romantic partners are also often considered family units. Families are
unique groups of individuals, and they come in various forms and sizes. They
may be small, such as a married couple or a single parent and their child, or
they may be large, multi-generational households.
• Family problems, or conflicts, can occur between two or more members of a
family. Because families are intimately and intricately connected, the problems
impact the entire family unit.
• Finances: Problems with money include those related to poverty, or they may involve a
disagreement about financial decisions, such as whether or not to buy a teenage child their
first car.
• Military service: A person's military service can cause family troubles. Issues may stem from
events such as deployment or reassignment to a new location.
• Mental health: Mental illnesses, which are often stressful, can result in family issues. For
instance, problems may arise if a child experiences a mental health condition, but their
parents are unwilling or unable to seek treatment.
• Drugs and alcohol: An addiction to drugs or alcohol is a family struggle for a variety of reasons.
The addiction can cause erratic behavior, financial issues, or intense conflict.
• Lack of communication: Family struggles are far more likely when members of the family do
not communicate their needs, expectations, or wants clearly.
• Work-related problems: Work-life can often cause issues in family-life. Such problems may
stem from a poor work-life and family-life balance, from dissatisfaction with work to
unemployment.
• Distinguishing roles: Role-based issues can arise when members disagree on which roles they
do or should play in a family. For instance, a common example might include spouses
disagreeing on who is responsible for certain household chores.
• Age or cultural differences: Age or cultural differences can result in contrasting expectations,
behaviors, or opinions. For instance, when two people from different cultural backgrounds
marry, they may find unexpected differences in their lifestyles. The common struggle between
teenagers and their parents is an example of an age-related family problem.
Tools on Family Assessment
• Genogram:
• https://youtu.be/F1tcrVdIYpw
• https://genopro.com/genogram/
• Symbols: https://genopro.com/genogram/Genogram-Basic-Symbols.pdf
• Tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S21-ouGMhsY
Tools on Family Assessment
• Ecomap:
• https://www.edrawmax.com/article/what-is-ecomap.html
• https://youtu.be/xTjrkFneXr8