Working with Families

This course will examine the family system and methods for approaching family life cycle dilemmas through a strength based and holistic approach. As a family moves through the family life cycle they will face many development challenges, however, some families will also be faced with more intense challenges, such as abuse. Students will examine the aspects of abuse in the family and recognize the role of advocacy, intervention and prevention by understanding the impacts, patterns and services of abuse within families. In addition students will explore the challenges imposed on the First Nation family system since European contact by learning how the family balanced life through a system of collective responsibilities. In consideration of the diversity of the modern family and the diverse challenges the family system encounters students will discover how the family system can move through family system dilemmas and identify resources that contribute to individual and collective wellness.