Chapter 2

1. Viewing Family Diversity
Families, Schools, and
Communities
Building Partnerships
for
Educating Children
Chapter 2

2. • Understand that demographics in the U.S. are
changing
• Discuss family structure dynamic
• Share why building positive connections with
families are supportive for healthy child
development
What Do You Believe?

3. Three Social Settings
Home
 Define the dynamic nature of
American families today.
 Identify different types of
families.
 Explain how socio-cultural factors
affect families
School
 Explain how parents can
partner with educators to
provide nurturance needs of
young children.
 Consider how the
experiences of families can
impact children’s beliefs and
capabilities.
Community
 Understand how difficult it can be for
families to meet the challenges of
parenting and the importance of
support for families from school and
community.

4. New
Family
Constructs

5. Social
Factors
Relating to
Families

6. Socio-cultural
Factors
Race
Language Differences
Marital Status of Parents
Religious
Economics
T
h
i
s

7. What is family?
Family Trends
in the
United States

8. TheAmerican Family
• Family describes particular household groupings.
• Nuclear family was coined in the 1940s to distinguish it from the
extended family.
• Educators need to be aware of subtle biases and prejudices toward
families who differ from the nuclear model.

9. Children’s
perception of
family

10. Blended
Family
Household

11. Same Sex
Parent
Household

12. Single
Parent
Household

13. Grandparents
as Parents
Household

14. Foster
Parents
Household

15. Biracial
Household

16. Adoption
Household

17. Large Family
Household

18. Expansion
of Minority
Population

19. English
Language
Learners

20. Children
with
Disabilities

21. Religious /
Spiritual
Orientation

22. Economics
impact on
Families

23. Summary
 The family remains the primary social unit in the United
States.
 Parents are capable of contributing to the communities and
schools where their children seek instruction and guidance.
 Ethnic proportions are constantly shifting due to mobility,
values, and economies.
 Schools and communities must respond with more inclusive
environments to allow all leaners to fully participate.
 Each generation had its special problems and its particular
success.
.
Implications for Educators