CYAF 382: Working With Parents

Family systems theory

interconnected system of individuals and relationships. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

What is a detouring coalition?

strategy in family systems theory - When one family member is used as a scapegoat for unrelated problems

What is a perverse triangle?

A coalition between two family members against another, disrupting hierarchy

Define morphogenesis

The process of change and adaptation within a family system. 

Define morphostasis

The tendency of a family to maintain stability or return to order after change

What is parentification?

When a child takes on adult responsibilities or becomes emotional support for a parent

What are boundaries?

Rules or limits that define how open or closed a family is to outside influences

Define bonding.

Emotional closeness and unity within a family

Define buffering

Allowing privacy and healthy space between family members

What is an enmeshed family?

Overly connected with little privacy or autonomy

What is a disengaged family?

Little connection or bonding between members

What is a cutoff relationship?

No emotional or physical contact between family members

What is generational poverty?

Poverty that persists for at least two generations within a family

What is situational poverty?

Temporary poverty caused by a specific event or crisis

What is absolute poverty?

Lack of basic necessities like food, shelter, and water

What is relative poverty?

Having less income than the societal average standard of living.

What is urban poverty?

Poverty in cities with added stressors like violence or crowding

What is rural poverty?

Poverty in less populated areas with fewer services and job opportunities

What is the microsystem?

The immediate environment the child directly interacts with

ecological systems theory

A theory that explains how a child’s development is influenced by different layers of their environment — from immediate relationships to broader social and cultural factors — all interacting over time

What is the mesosystem?

Connections between parts of the microsystem, such as home–school relationships

What is the exosystem?

External environments that indirectly influence the child, such as a parent’s workplace

What is the macrosystem?

Broader cultural values, beliefs, and laws that affect all other systems

What is the chronosystem?

The influence of time and life transitions like divorce or historical events

What is a nuclear family?

Two parents and their children living together

What is an extended family?

Includes relatives beyond the nuclear family, often multigenerational

What is a blended family?

Formed when partners bring children from previous relationships

What is an adoptive family?

A family where one or more children are legally adopted

What is kinship care?

Children are raised by relatives or close family friends instead of parents

What is a nonnormative family transition?

Unexpected or atypical events like incarceration, illness, or death

What is a normative family transition?

Expected life events like marriage or having children

What determines family recovery from difficult transitions?

Ability to maintain bonding, buffering, communication, and support

What is aspirational capital?

Maintaining hope and dreams for the future despite barriers.

What is linguistic capital?

Skills developed through communicating in multiple languages or styles

What is familial capital?

Cultural knowledge and support from family and community ties

What is social capital?

Networks and relationships providing support and opportunities

What is navigational capital?

Ability to navigate institutions that may be unsupportive or biased

What is resistant capital?

Challenging inequality and persisting despite oppression

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, parent separation/divorce, incarcerated of household member

Examples of ace’s

• Physical abuse

• Emotional abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Physical neglect

• Emotional neglect

• Witnessing domestic violence

• Parental substance abuse

• Parental mental illness

• Parental separation or divorce

• Incarceration of a household member

What are the main types of child maltreatment?

Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect

How can ACEs affect development?

They increase risk for mental illness and chronic disease

What is the role of child advocacy centers like BraveBe?

To support children through trauma-informed care and legal advocacy

What is physical custody?

Determines where the child lives and daily care

What is legal custody?

Determines who makes major decisions for the child.

What is joint custody?

Both parents share legal and/or physical custody

What is sole custody?

One parent has full custody when the other is unfit

What is a parenting plan?

A legal agreement outlining custody, visitation, and responsibilities

What are Funds of Knowledge?

Skills and knowledge families possess from life experiences and culture.

Why are Funds of Knowledge important in education?

They connect learning to students’ home and community experiences

How can teachers use Funds of Knowledge?

By integrating family traditions and real-life skills into teaching.

What is a key idea behind Funds of Knowledge?

All families have valuable knowledge that supports learning.

How can chronic illness impact a family system?

It changes family roles, routines, finances, and emotional balance; often increases caregiver stress and role strain.

What is family adaptation to chronic illness?

The process of adjusting roles, communication, and coping to maintain family functioning and well-being.

What are normative family transitions?

Predictable life changes most families experience, such as marriage, childbirth, children leaving home, or retirement.

What is a common misconception about poverty?

That poverty results from laziness; in reality, systemic barriers, low wages, and lack of resources play key roles.

What is a truth about poverty’s impact on families?

It can limit access to healthcare, education, and stable housing, increasing family stress and instability

What does PACES stand for?

Protective and Compensatory Experiences

How do PACES relate to ACEs?

PACES are positive experiences that help buffer or counteract the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs

Define resilience

The ability to adapt and recover after stress, trauma, or hardship

What is the cultural deficit model

The belief that some groups fail in school or society because of their culture, rather than due to systemic inequalities

Why is the cultural deficit perspective problematic?

It blames families instead of addressing inequities in opportunity and access

What are common cultural values in many Hispanic/Latino families?

Familismo (strong family loyalty), respeto (respect), and personalismo (warm relationships)

How do these hispanic values influence family life?

They promote interdependence, emotional closeness, and shared responsibility among family members.

What does “doubled-up” mean?

When families live with friends or relatives due to economic hardship or loss of housing.

Define culture

Shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors that shape how people live and interact

What are cultural norms?

Unwritten rules that guide acceptable behavior within a group

microsystem example

A child who receives emotional support and encouragement from parents and teachers is more likely to develop high self-esteem

mesosystem example

If parents regularly talk with teachers, the child may do better academically because of consistent expectations between home and school

exosystem example

if a parent loses their job, the resulting stress or financial strain can impact the child, even though the child doesn’t work there.

macrosystem example 

In a culture that highly values education, children may receive strong encouragement to succeed academically

chronosystem example

A child experiencing a parent’s divorce may struggle initially but adapt as they grow older and circumstances stabilize