Family Health Nursing

Definition of Family
Family
 Basic unit in society, and is shaped by all forces surround it.
 Values, beliefs, and customs of society influence the role
and function of the family (invades every aspect of the life
of the family)
 Is a unit of interacting persons bound by ties of blood, marriage or
adoption.
 Constitute a single household, interacts with each other in
their respective familial roles and create and maintain a
common culture.
 An open and developing system of interacting personalities with
structure and process enacted in relationships among the individual
members regulated by resources and stressors and existing within
the larger community (Smith & Maurer, 1995)
 Two or more people who live in the same household (usually), share
a common emotional bond, and perform certain interrelated social
tasks (Spradly & Allender, 1996)
 An organization or social institution with continuity (past, present,
and future). In which there are certain behaviors in common that
affect each other.
The Filipino Family
  Based on the Philippine Constitution, Family Code with focus on
religious, legal, and cultural aspects of the definition of family.
Section 1
 The state recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the
nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively
promote its total development
Section 2
 Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of
family and shall be protected by the state.
Section 3
The state shall defend –

1. the right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their

religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood
2. the right of children to assistance including proper care and
nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse,
cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their
development
3. the right of the family to a family living wage income
4. the right of families or family associations to participate in the
planning and implementation of policies and programs of that affect
them
Section 4
 The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the state
may also do so through just programs of social security
The Filipino Family and its Characteristics
The basic social units of Philippine society are the nuclear family
1. Although the basic unit is the nuclear family, the influence of kinship
is felt in all segments of social organizations
2. Extensions of relationships and descent patterns are bilateral
3. Kinship circles is considerably greater because effective range often
includes the third cousin
4. Kin group is further enlarged by a finial, spiritual or ceremonial ties.
Filipino marriage is not an individual but a family affair
5. Obligation goes with this kingship system
6. Extended family has a profound effect on daily decisions
7. There is a great degree of equality between husband and wife
8. Children not only have to respect their parents and obey them, but
also have to learn to repress their repressive tendencies
9. The older siblings have something of authority of their parents.