- characteristics
- Parental involvement in the child's life
- Carrying out joint activities
- Transfer of securities
- Good parenting relationship
- Causes
- Importance
- References
The family integration is the adoption of a series of measures that allow both father and mother share a lot of time with their children. It would be the opposite phenomenon to family disintegration, which occurs when there is a divorce or separation that prevents children from seeing one of their reference figures.
Throughout history, the family has been considered the foundation of all societies. For this reason, many people believe that it is essential to study the best way to preserve this structure. In the current age, in which there are more and more problems in this area, studying how to promote family integration is especially important.
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To achieve this, work must be done on different areas: maintaining a good relationship with a partner, reconciling work and family life, and adequate care for children are three of the most studied, but there are many others.
characteristics
Next we will see some of the fundamental elements necessary for family integration to occur.
Parental involvement in the child's life
The most important characteristic of an integrated family is that adults are truly involved in the child's problems.
In the case of a single parent family, as in those formed by single mothers, the only parent available would be the one in charge of caring for the child; but in families with two figures of reference, both have to worry about him. However, it is increasingly rare that both parents are 100% involved in the well-being of children.
Due to problems such as an excessive workload, stress, psychological disorders, a bad relationship or simply a lack of understanding between the child and one of the parents, many families are considered as disintegrated.
To promote this characteristic, both parents must make the well-being of the child high priority. Among other things, they need to make you feel secure in your relationship with them; Thus, when the little one feels some kind of concern, he has to know that he can rely on his parents to solve it.
Carrying out joint activities
The second characteristic of integrated families is that, in these, parents and children spend a lot of time doing interesting and stimulating activities. In this way, the little ones feel accompanied and can experience the world through their relationship with their elders.
The important thing is not specifically what activities are carried out; on the contrary, the essential thing is that the time spent with the children is of good quality. This feature can become very complicated if you have an excessive workload. However, with a little planning, it is possible to achieve this.
Transfer of securities
One of the duties of parents towards their children is to transmit to them a series of values and attitudes towards life that will help them in their development.
Often this is not done explicitly; rather, it occurs naturally as you share good quality time with them.
However, this transmission of values is essential for the future well-being of children. Numerous studies show that attitudes such as assertiveness, resilience or proactivity can be passed down from generation to generation, if proper education is carried out at home.
Good parenting relationship
This fourth point does not have to do directly with the relationship between parents and children, but it does indirectly influence the well-being of the latter. In order for children to grow up in an integrated environment, the two adults must have a good relationship and actively collaborate in raising the children.
When a couple has a lot of problems, children pick up on it and, because they don't yet understand how the world works, they tend to blame themselves. This will affect their development, and can cause serious self-esteem problems throughout their lives.
Therefore, even in the event of a separation or divorce, it is essential to try to make it happen on amicable terms. Only in this way can adequate family integration be achieved.
Causes
Family integration has been one of the most recurrent themes throughout history in practically every culture in the world. Although it has not always been called by that name, prioritizing the well-being and unity of families has always been fundamental to the health of a nation.
Thus, for example, in ancient times, religions and culture were responsible for fostering a lasting union between parents to ensure that children were part of an integrated family. This was achieved, for example, with the impossibility of divorcing and with social rejection for all those couples who separated.
Fortunately, today we have evolved beyond those practices. However, ensuring that there are integrated families is still fundamental for society.
For this reason, it is necessary that we make a conscious effort to provide our children with a safe and suitable environment so that they can develop correctly.
Importance
That children are part of an environment in which family integration is present is essential for their development. A multitude of studies confirm that living in a safe and supportive environment will help them to have better self-esteem and self-confidence as adults.
On the other hand, this can have all kinds of benefits once the children grow up. Among other things, a good family relationship is a predictor of better physical and mental health, greater job opportunities, and more success in one's own relationships.
Therefore, and due to the social changes carried out in recent decades, today it is essential to study new ways in which to promote family integration.
Different disciplines such as sociology or social psychology are in charge of precisely this, but there is still much work to be done in this regard.
References
- "Family Integration and Children's Self Esteem" in: American Journal of Sociology. Retrieved on: July 05, 2018 from American Journal of Sociology: journals.uchicago.edu.
- "The importance of family integration in today's society" in: In South Magazine. Retrieved on: July 05, 2018 from In South Magazine: insouthmagazine.com.
- "Family integration and its influence" in: Monographs. Retrieved on: July 05, 2018 from Monographs: monografias.com.
- "The stages of family integration" in: AAPE. Retrieved on: July 05, 2018 from AAPE: adoptionpuntodeencuentro.com.
- "How to achieve a better family integration?" in: Accent. Retrieved on: July 05, 2018 from Acento: acento.com.do.