Family functions is the third element of the Family Systems Theory. This element includes eight activities that support the fulfillment of the individual and collective needs of the family.
- Affection: how the family displays affection among its members and the emotional commitments that they have toward each other.
- Self-esteem: it’s how each individual family member understands their self-worth and personal identity, and how they acknowledge their positive contributions.
- Spirituality: the way the family members express their faith, their religion, and the acceptance (or lack of acceptance) to God.
- Economy: The income that family members bring to the family unit and how this income is utilized.
- Daily care: ways in which the family deals to cover the immediate needs for food, shelter, health care and other basic needs.
- Socialization: the social skills that all family members must develop in order to establish interpersonal skills outside the family unit.
- Recreation: opportunities for leisure activities for the whole family unit as well as for each family member.
- Education: the opportunity for educational involvement and career choices.
All family members must act as a part of the cohesive family unit, as well as independently to fulfill each of these eight characteristics. It’s noted that some families with children with special needs struggle to find a balance these family functions as their main emphasis is to support the child in receiving services to support a stronger development within the variation of the specific needs the child has.
