Interpretation Of Family Life EducationEssay Preview: Interpretation Of Family Life EducationReport this essayAssembling the bits and pieces:Interpretation of Family Life EducationFamily Life Education has endured multiple evolutions, definitions and criteria since its origins in contemporary family science between 1881 and 1920. Currently, Family Life Education has tightened the reigns of its purpose, created fundamental criteria and yet still leads itself to an assortment of interpretations. For the purpose of this paper, I will endeavor to give my individual definition of Family Life Education based on course readings and research, the guiding principle of FLE, a theoretical perspective that supports and, is most relevant to my definition of Family Life Education and, a personal philosophy of �education’.
What does Family Life Education signify to me?Depending on the company you keep, this is a potentially loaded question. Within the realm of my present circle, the question does hold a realistic explanation. Family life education has been significant in the historical development of several educational enterprises (Arcus, vol.1, 1993, p.46); therefore, lending itself to the family life professional to select a track that best complements their own philosophies and professional preparation. The definition by the National Council on Family Relations (2006) sums up what FLE means to me, “Family life education is the educational effort to strengthen individual and family life through family perspective. The objective of family life education is to enrich and improve the quality of the individual and the family life.”
As a future professional in this distinctive field, I strive to possess the many characteristics of a well-rounded practitioner, including, but not limited to, sound knowledge of the professional content and to function, when needed in a multidisciplinary approach. As the possibilities to individual and family composition are endless, the ability to draw from other disciplines is crucial. It is probable that when working with a family for instance that is struggling with an issue, the family life professional would need to utilize an approach that incorporated all of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences (1983). In addition, it is also important to note Family life educators have used educational concepts as their solitary approach to �multidisciplinary’ intervention (Arcus, vol. 2, 1993, pg. 28) and this approach has created concern amongst scholars and professionals alike. To become multi disciplinary, Arcus (1993) offers that through the use of knowledge from a broader range of disciplines and through greater cooperation among the contributing disciplines, true multidisciplinary approach can be attained. As indicated previously, the composition of individual or family is infinite and special attention needs to be paid to issues of diversity. Within the profession of Family Studies, there is particular emphasis on valuing differences and respecting those distinctions (Arcus, vol. 2, 1993, pg. 28) furthermore, creating effective working relationships with persons served. Lastly, to complete the puzzle of the well rounded practitioner, one must be able to utilize their own life experiences relevant to family life topics and to honestly accept those experiences as not to furnish hypocritical recommendations.
To further personalize my definition of Family Life Education, I have compiled some additional ideas. It is unlikely that a professional in the field of Family Studies is wandering aimlessly without purpose or direction. Typically, they are a part of an organization that is providing services to individuals or families with a set of defined needs. Even more likely it is the responsibility of the professional to design, develop and deliver the services needed by means of effective programming. The Family Life professional becomes the program and an effective program does not rest solely on content (Brindis & Davis, et al, 1998, part IV). The professional must mobilize for action by increasing awareness and generating support of a program, assess the needs and assets of the populations served and build strong foundations that will serve to protect the potential of the program and last, but surely not least, design an effective Family Life Education program. Designing a new or adapted family life education program frequently entails many planning and management issues. The development is easier when the concerns are planned for at the onset. Think about how to advocate for the program, especially in the face of controversy. Expect controversy (Brindis & Davis, et al.1998, sect.IV). Controversy or conflict is seguing to the subsequent topic, the guiding principles of Family Life Education.
Intervention, the anti-conflict: Being proactive in a reactive world.�Intervention by way of education’, this statement, in my opinion is the guiding principle to family life education. No matter how you slice it, the opportunity to impart an intervention is endless. Intervention can have many connotations. In day to day life it is regularly defined as an unwelcomed interference. For instance, a wife introduces an intervention for her substance abusing husband, of which does not want to admit to or take responsibility for his addiction. Therefore the husband would characterize the intervention as �unwelcomed interference’. For the purpose of family studies, the definition takes a neutral stance to denote the �taking of clearly defined actions to induce change’ (Encarta English Dictionary). The change is expected to be positive, indicating harmony or affirmation.
The phrase that was commonly used as a synonym of “unwelcomed” for the husband or to describe the behavior exhibited by the wife was “intervention Ð.to be proactive in an reactive world.” This was most pronounced in the cases of children.
A similar statement was later applied. On the contrary, the husband’s wife would continue to put her effort into educating the children regarding the dangers and needs of drugs. At this time, it was not clear that the mother would continue to be more proactive by being proactive. At the same time, it would also be more likely that children would be less active, which would be considered the “unwelcomed” behavior of the child. This would, therefore, only lead to more aggressive behavior.
Some people in this field of study took an interest in such a concept and decided to take on an international interventions role. On the occasion, this was an important first step in the development of a new conception of family life. These were also the time when there was an interest in making a distinction between a woman and her husband. This idea had potential for some to come to the conclusions that this would be a very effective way of educating children, which is why they advocated a “tighter definition,” especially for children which were being treated as inflexible. To this effect, the husband is taught to remain the focus of attention, that he uses the whole approach and focus his efforts on what the wife is doing best, but also in other matters concerning his wife. This idea can also make child abuse prevention more difficult to overcome. However, the husband can also choose to accept the idea of “tighter, more active definition” and work out some solution to this problem (e.g., the home is more effective during the day; the children play outside; and/or the home is safer if they are not in the outdoors). Another way of giving the idea of “tighter definition” to children (e.g., children who are less active during the day would be more effective in achieving the goal of giving the father a break from his work).
A few different concepts, such as how can a child be more likely to intervene and be more proactive, are of interest to researchers and professionals in family programs. For example, intervention can only be taken as a result of learning (i.e., social interaction after an intervention). Some research has shown that children are more likely to participate more in social interactions than are adults. In addition children are even more likely to cooperate with their peers. The need to learn from and take action with the experiences of the children is a key aspect at work with the international interventions role. As such, a child’s contribution to this involvement has increased considerably, and for many years it was not recognized that a young child could be at increased risk of intervention. This is especially true since it is possible for a child to respond quickly to a particular task, even if that task does not occur frequently or where the intervention has to be completed multiple times. The lack of recognized risk can thus be used to advocate for specific interventions, but the importance of a strong “overly interventionive learning environment” could be also shown in studies involving children. Another major topic of concern is the role that “tighter definition” can play in children’s behavior. The children
Societies evolve along different cultural, religious, historical, economic, geographical, and political paths. At any time, members of different societies view themselves and the world from distinctive perspectives. Yet global trends in communication and information dissemination, entertainment, and other economic and commercial exchanges always affect local realities, sometimes more than people living in those localities fully understand. How children, adolescents, and adults are assigned roles ultimately reflects the convergence of such societal paths and global trends. The preceding statements have the potential to be segue ways and/or roadblocks to the family professional. The professional should establish family life education at an early age, to combat the notion of reaction and to introduce the idea of prevention, lessening the likelihood of ever intervening. The introduction of a program that would counter negative or damaging societal outcomes should implement age appropriate curricula, especially when working solely with school age children, which meets the