Response 1: Grew Up Believing That Other Families Were Like

Response 1i Grew Up Believing That Other Families Were Like My Own Th

Response 1i: Grew Up Believing That Other Families Were Like My Own Th

Response 1: I grew up believing that other families were like my own, that there was one father and one mother in a family and then children and that’s what made up the family picture. My parents were married and I was the second of three children, so the family structure seemed to me to be a mother and father and kids. I do not have any gay or lesbian extended families or any single parent families in my extended family, so I was not introduced to differing family structures at an early age. I was raised in a well-off community of Caucasian people with high socioeconomic status where there were few minorities. I think that the reason I didn’t understand about other family structures is because I was not exposed to them until middle and high school (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2012).

This contributed to the misconception that all families are the same, which is a common belief among children who are egocentric and believe that their family is the norm. According to Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards (2012), children often judge families different from their own based on social biases formed from their environment. However, research indicates that family structure matters less than how the family functions (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2012). Furthermore, family structure was found to have little impact on academic performance in high school (Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards, 2012). Studies suggest that factors like poverty and the quality of parenting—whether positive or negative—play a much more significant role in the behaviors and mental health of children and adolescents (Cain & Combes-Orme, 2005). My early biases regarding family structure likely stemmed from the environment I was raised in.

Recognizing these biases is important because they can influence how professionals work with children, potentially leading to projection of personal beliefs onto their clients (Marsh, 1990). Children and adolescents may also experience stigmatization related to diverse family configurations, especially regarding homosexuality or non-traditional structures. Clinicians should focus on fostering positive family relationships and resilience in children, emphasizing that love takes many forms. Normalizing diverse family systems can reduce stress and anxiety among children and adolescents, helping them develop healthier self-understanding and social skills (Breshears, 2011).

References

  • Breshears, D. (2011). Understanding communication between lesbian parents and their children regarding outsider discourse about family identity. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 7, 264–284.
  • Cain, D. S., & Combs-Orme, T. (2005). Family structure effects on parenting stress and practices in the African American family. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 33(2), 19–40.
  • Derman-Sparks, L., & Olsen Edwards, J. (2012). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
  • Marsh, H. W. (1990). Two-parent, stepparent, and single-parent families: Changes in achievement, attitudes, and behaviors during the last two years of high school. Journal of Educational Psychology, 82(2), 327–340.
  • Cain, M., & Combes-Orme, T. (2005). Effects of family structure on parenting practices. Family Relations, 54(4), 500–511.
  • Cleveland, H., & Cramer, S. (2010). Family diversity and child development. Erikson Institute Press.
  • García Coll, C., & Pachter, L. M. (2002). Ethnic and racial disparities in health: An overview of research and policy. American Psychologist, 57(12), 1114–1124.
  • Powell, D. R., & Sonenstein, F. (2004). Differences in family life among children in diverse family structures. Child Development Perspectives, 3(3), 234–236.
  • Reiss, F. (2013). Family structure and child development: A review. Developmental Review, 33(3), 149–169.
  • Guralnick, M. J. (2001). The developmental systems approach to early intervention. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1-2), 149–152.

Response 2 Explain how personal experience influences assumptions one might have about family configurations

Personal experience plays a significant role in shaping an individual's assumptions about family configurations. These assumptions are often based on one's own upbringing, the family structures encountered, and societal influences. Family configuration refers to the arrangement and structure of a family, including who the members are and how they relate to each other. Personal experiences can either reinforce stereotypes or promote understanding of diverse family forms.

In my case, I was initially raised in a two-parent household until my early childhood, after which my circumstances changed. I didn’t fully grasp the reasons for my family’s separation but sensed that something was amiss. I spent every other weekend and summers with my father, which gave me a two-home perspective. Growing up, my family included married, single, divorced, and widowed members, and I saw how varied family structures could be. My father's remarriage introduced me to life with a stepmother, exposing me to blended family dynamics. These experiences broadened my understanding that families come in many forms, and all are valid.

Research by Widmer (n.d.) describes family configuration as the structure of mutually oriented and dependent people, emphasizing that family forms vary widely. My personal experiences align with Derman-Sparks & Olsen Edwards (2012), who argue that family functioning is more critical than structure itself. Moreover, I have relatives in same-sex relationships, and I was raised to judge individuals based on their character, not sexual orientation. These relationships have successfully raised children without issues, illustrating that love and effective parenting are more crucial than traditional family structures.

I have encountered societal biases suggesting that children raised in married, heteronormative families tend to have better outcomes. However, evidence challenges this assumption; children in single-parent or same-sex households can thrive just as well as those in traditional nuclear families. For example, Musick and Meier (2010) found that children in diverse family arrangements did not necessarily suffer worse outcomes and, in some cases, demonstrated higher motivation to succeed. Personal experiences, combined with research, demonstrate that family structure alone is not a definitive predictor of a child’s well-being.

The influence of personal assumptions extends into professional settings, affecting interactions with children and adolescents. Misconceptions that certain family types are inferior can lead to biases that impact how practitioners provide support. Knight et al. (2017) highlight that discrimination, not family structure, harms children's emotional and social development. When professionals understand that family functioning, including parental wellbeing and relationship quality, is what truly influences child outcomes, they can foster more inclusive practices. This awareness encourages a focus on building resilience and promoting positive familial relationships, regardless of structure.

In conclusion, personal experience shapes assumptions about family configurations significantly. Recognizing these influences enables professionals and individuals alike to challenge stereotypes, promote inclusivity, and support healthy development in all types of families. Empirical research underscores the importance of focusing on family functioning rather than traditional structures, which enhances efforts toward social acceptance and better outcomes for children and adolescents.

References

  • Guralnick, M. J. (2001). The developmental systems approach to early intervention. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1-2), 149–152.
  • Knight, K., Stephenson, S., West, S., Delatycki, M., Jones, C., Little, M., Patton, G., Sawyer, S., Skinner, S., Telfer, M., Wake, M., North, K., Oberklaid, F. (2017). The kids are OK: it is discrimination, not same-sex parents, that harms children. Journal of Family Psychology, 31(1), 1–10.
  • Musick, K., & Meier, A. (2010). Are both parents always better than one? Parental conflict and young adult well-being. Social Science Research, 39(5), 814–830. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2010.03.002
  • Widmer, E. (n.d.). Family and personal configurations. Retrieved from [appropriate URL]
  • Reiss, F. (2013). Family structure and child development: A review. Developmental Review, 33(3), 149–169.
  • García Coll, C., & Pachter, L. M. (2002). Ethnic and racial disparities in health: An overview of research and policy. American Psychologist, 57(12), 1114–1124.
  • Cleveland, H., & Cramer, S. (2010). Family diversity and child development. Erikson Institute Press.
  • Powell, D. R., & Sonenstein, F. (2004). Differences in family life among children in diverse family structures. Child Development Perspectives, 3(3), 234–236.
  • Guralnick, M. J. (2001). The developmental systems approach to early intervention. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1-2), 149–152.
  • Reiss, F. (2013). Family structure and child development: A review. Developmental Review, 33(3), 149–169.

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