A functional family will provide for all physical, emotional, social and educational needs of family members. A dysfunctional family will only provide some of these needs.
Physical needs
• Food • Clothing • Warmth • Shelter – a place to live in • Protection from danger • Providing care when a member is sick
Emotional needs
Social needs
Educational needs
• Love • Comfort • Security • Understanding
• Personal relationships with family members • Social skills to enable them to cope with life
• Encouragement and support with schoolwork • Providing a stimulating environment • Conversation • Reading stories to children
Parenthood
• Parents have a duty and responsibility to provide for their children’s needs.
• Some parents find this difficult, especially if there are problems such as marital breakdown, financial worries, addictions or health problems.
• Some parents, often through no fault of their own, fail to provide for their children’s needs.
• The state can provide help through social services.
• No matter what type of family they are born into, every child has certain rights.
Did You Know? The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) runs a confidential helpline for children and teenagers called Childline. It also runs a programme (‘4me’) aimed at 13- to 18-year-olds who are at risk of abusing drugs and alcohol, or who are involved in anti-social behaviour. Childline: (01) 676 7960
A right is something a person is entitled to. A responsibility is something for which a person is accountable (they should or must do it).
