Family crises

A family crisis is a situation that marks a turning point in a Family, when things cease to go on as usual in the family as a result of some certain situations or changes going on in the family.

TYPES OF FAMILY CRISIS

1. Arrival of a new baby
2. Clashes of personality
3. Relocation of family
4. Loss of job/ employment
5. Divorce
6. Illnesses and accidents
7. Death of a family member
8. ARRIVAL OF A NEW BABY

The arrival of a newborn baby is normally a joy to the family but it can also be a source of crisis in the following ways:

1. The father may feel neglected
2. Other children may become jealous
3. More pressure on the family’s resources
4. More demand on the mother’s time and energy
5. Everyone in the family is affected by the 24 hours a day job of taking care of the baby

WAYS OF MANAGING THE CRISIS

1. The family should plan and prepare properly before each new baby arrives
2. Everyone in the family should be involved in some aspects of the child
3. CLASHES OF PERSONALITY

Family members differ in their abilities, likes and dislikes and in the way they react to different situations

WAYS OF MANAGING THE CRISIS

1. Family should set family values, lifestyles, goals  and standards
2. The family must agree on how to accommodate individual value systems
3. Family rules should be acceptable to members

III. RELOCATION OF FAMILY

Family may have to move from where they live to another place.

WAYS OF MANAGING THE CRISIS

1. Have a positive attitude
2. Give the new community and people a chance
3. Join a local group
4. Learn as much as possible about the new community
5. LOSS OF JOB/EMPLOYMENT

When a family member especially the bread winner loses his job, a serious crisis results. In such situations the family needs can no longer be met.

WAYS OF MANAGING THE CRISIS

1. Family goals will need to be reviewed
2. Alternative employment must be sought
3. Family members may have to take on new responsibilities
4. DIVORCE

Divorce means the break up of a marriage. Divorce has negative effects on husband and wife, children and in-laws.

WAYS OF MANAGING CRISIS

1. The family members need to find ways of adjusting wherever they find themselves
2. Parents needs to agree on how to help the children
3. Children should be allowed to communicate with parents
4. Counselling can help

OTHER GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR FAMILY CRISIS

1. Co-operation
2. Communication
3. Follow family routine as fast as possible
4. Where it is necessary and possible, family can always seek help from outside
5. The family should be adaptable to changes which may come with crises

ASSESSMENT

1. What is family Crises?
2. List FOUR types of family crises?
3. List FOUR ways of managing family crises?