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The Changing Family: Where Do You Fit In?

By KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant

Who are you, and where are you going? According to a recent News-Journal article, we learn the answers to these important questions right in our own families. You'll find out much more by reading the article, which carried the intriguing headline, "What do families and trains have in common?"

Not long ago, the majority of American families consisted of two parents and a couple of kids. In these so-called traditional families, fathers typically went to work; mothers stayed home to tend the house. Nowadays, our concept of family is rapidly changing. Headlines, like "Unmarried households up" and "More children living with grandparents," routinely appear in newspapers. According to the 2000 Census count, children living in homes headed by grandparents are up by 33%, and so are most other non-traditional family relationships. Most parents work outside of the home, now, too. Single-parent families, extended families and foster families are also more common than they used to be. Kids come in all sizes and shapes, and so do their families!

If you surveyed your classmates, you would certainly find they come from many different kinds of families. It might be fun to see what your family has in common with others. One thing you would probably realize is that family doesn't necessarily mean kinfolk. Although blood ties can be important to some, there's more to a family than that. It's the shared experiences and history, the traditions and the special, caring relationships that bind - and bond - people together as family.

In a recent survey of teens across America, nearly all said they look to their families for role models as well as for someone to confide in! Good communication is one important key to making family bonds strong. When families find ways to eat, play, do chores or watch TV together, for example, they make opportunities to communicate. Working or doing other activities with your family can be fun, and it can be a valuable learning experience - for adults as well as for young people.

Try these interesting activities using The News-Journal

1. Think about the qualities that make up a good parent or guardian. Then, use your newspaper to find examples of at least two people you believe fit those qualities. On a sheet of paper, write your reasons for selecting each. What did the people you selected have in common? How were they different? (Sunshine State Standards: HE.A.1.2.3, HE.A.1.2.4, HE.B.3.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5)




Family reunion Rick Shiver hugs his son Rick, Jr. upon his return to Daytona Beach after service in Afghanistan. (Photo: News-Journal/Nigel Cook)

2. Use your family as a health resource. First, read the newspaper regularly to arm yourself with up-to-date information about current health issues. (Two examples are how much you should exercise and the effects of smoking on your body.) Then, use your new knowledge as you discuss with your family your feelings about these and other issues. (Sunshine State Standards: HE.A.1.2.4, HE.B.1.2.2, HE.B.2.2.2, HE.C.1.2.1, HE.C.1.2.2, HE.C.2.2.1, HE.C.2.2.2, HE.C.2.2.4, HE.C.2.2.5, HE.C.2.2.6, PE.A.3.2.1)



3. Your newspaper is an outstanding place to find help for families in times of crisis. Information found in newspapers has helped people who have, for example, lost their homes to fire or flood, required-but could not afford-an operation or needed counseling due to personal or family issues. Search your newspaper for agencies, support groups and other resources like these. Count yourself an expert if you discover 5 or more such resources! (Sunshine State Standards: HE.C.1.2.2, HE.C.2.2.3, HE.C.2.2.6)



4. Using your newspaper, locate an article about an incident involving family violence. Imagine the story as it might have appeared had the incident been resolved peacefully. Making sure your story details and events are logical and believable. To make your story even more credible, edit it carefully for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Then, format it to look like a real newspaper article and display your hard work! (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.2.2.1, LA.B.1.2.2, LA.B.1.2.3, LA.B.2.2.5)



5. Many families grow stronger by spending quality time together. Plan an outing you believe might be suitable for a family. Take a look at your newspaper's Entertainment section or check out "The Oh! Zone" at www.nieworld.com and choose a listing from each of the following categories: Movies, Museums, Sports and Music or Dance. Discuss with your family the possibility of attending some of the events you selected. (Sunshine State Standards: HE.B.3.2.2, TH.E.1.2.1)

A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org.

Check out these links to learn more

An online family publication names Young Heroes offers news, advice and activities for kids. At other pages from Kids Care Clubs, you can find out how to get involved with school and youth groups, or other families, as a dynamic volunteer.

Kids sometimes have questions or concerns about family issues. Here's a useful Web site that deals with family and other topics about growing up. If you don't get all your questions answered there, try a site called Family Cares.

"Whether you are a parent with a struggling child or a professional looking for resources, we have the information you need to get help for teenagers and young adults who are struggling or underachieving."

Here are some useful phone numbers, and more Web sites, that offer advice or help.
– Local Help Lines (Volusia County, Florida or toll-free):
First Call for Help Crisis Line, 253-0564
Florida Domestic Abuse Hotline, 1-800-500-1119
Florida Parent Hotline, 1-888-41-family
Children Advocacy Center, 238-3830
Children's Medical Services, 238-4980
Our Children First, 248-2771
The House Next Door, 734-7571
– Local and State Support Resources:
Bethune-Cookman College Parent Involvement Program, 255-1401
Family Preservation Program, 226-7826
Healthy Start/Volusia, 323-2060
Florida Network of Youth and Family Services 1-850-922-4324 (www.floridanetwork.org)
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, 1-850-488-1850 (www.djj.state.fl.us)
Florida Department of Children and Families, 1-850-487-1111 (www.sun6.dms.state.fl.us/cf_web)

You'll find some fun family activities, including math challenges for all levels, at this Web site offered in both Spanish and in English.

An important thing that links many families is how they celebrate holidays. Think about various holiday traditions in your family. Do you have many in common with others in your neighborhood? Some holidays may be observed by just one family, one community or one nation, while others are celebrated worldwide. Take a look at how kids from around the world say they enjoy one popular tradition: welcoming the New Year.

The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. Visit the site and check some of them out, to see if they have recently published any articles about traditional or alternative family structure. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries.

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