Jamy Ray

October 10, 2012

FCS 340
Midterm Exam

1.

There are five domains that change a family system. The first one is
the quality of relationships in the parents families of origin. This is dependent on
how the couple relates and their relationship with their own family. Number two,
is the new parents relationship as a couple. A family system and new parents will
do better with a strong and secure relationship. But if that relationship is major
issues, the new child probably isnt helping the situation. Next, is the quality or
type of relationship that each parent develops with the new baby. This is vital. No
two couples are going to have their same separate relationships with their child. I
look back at my mother and father, and I still do not have the same relationship
either of them. Even my own son, his dad has a different (yet distant) relationship
with him, than I do. Another domain is the balance between life stress and social
support in the family. I find this important as well. Because life isnt going to stop
after a new baby, bills and other responsibilities are going to come up. It just
depends how the new parents handle these situations with each other, the new
family and their other responsibilities. Finally, the well being or distress of each
parent and child as individuals. I will be honest, this one is a little tricky and I am
not sure I fully understand it. I think it means the stability or instability of each
individual. I believe these are all important to understand couples and their
success.

2.

As we discussed in class per our notes, attachment is healthy vital to

healthy socioemotional and cognitive development. Attachment is defined by
Merriam-webster as the physical connection by which one thing is attached to
another.
There are four components of attachment: safe haven, secure base,
proximity maintenance, and separation distress. And to define each of them is
pretty self explanatory, but I will go ahead and explain them. Safe haven is when
the child feels threatened or afraid, he or she can return to the guardian for
comfort and soothing. When the guardian gives a secure and dependable base
for the child to explore the world, is the definition of secure base. When the child
is trying to figure out how far they get away from the guardian is simply proximity
maintenance. Finally, separation distress is when the child leaves the caregiver
and becomes upset or distressed.
Now that attachment components have been defined, I think it is a good
time to talk about how important attachment theory is. A secure attached adult is
easily accessed to a wide range of feelings and memories, positive and negative.
This adult has a balanced view of parents. But if there was insecurity in
childhood, and has worked through hurt and anger. While the avoidantly attached
adult turns into a dismissive adult. This adult discharges importance of love and
connection. Often idealizes parents, but has reservations on memories and
corroborate. A dismissive adult lacks self-reflection and seems to me shallow
minded. Lastly an ambivalently preoccupied adult has a lot of steamed up anger
and hurt toward their parents. While this adult generally dreads abandonment. I

feel that I fall in a little bit of each of these categories. Each one of these types of
adults usually has the same type of attached children.
Last semester in 234, we read Becoming Attached and the quote that I
remembered is Secure attachment was seen as a source of emotional health,
giving a child the confidence that someone will be there for him and thus the
capacity to form satisfying relationships with others.I think it sums up what
secure attachment.
3.
If I was meeting with parents of a toddler in their home or in a facility I
think I would first address some of the common concerns parents with children in
this age group. At some point I would talk about sleep and how it is so important
for children to get adequate sleep. Reminding the parents that the child needs
between eleven and twelve hours per night. With sleep in mind, most people
including toddlers, their behavior is altered when there is not enough sleep.
Temper tantrums are another thing I would address. The best tip I used when my
son was in this stage was just remaining calm. No matter how loud the child yells
or screams, just remaining calm and waiting till the child is calm to discuss the
matter with them. Another way parents can help regulate their childs behavior is
when the parents act to prevent problems and avoid harsh, critical, directive, and
controlling behaviors with children. I think these three tips are a good start, but of
4.

course asking what parents need would vary and probably additional research.
Diana Baumrind researched several middle class parents and came up
with three parental behaviors or prototypes. The first one is authoritative.
Authoritative parents seem like they want solid control of their childs behavior.
These parents have good intentions and standards for their children. They are
rational, flexible and attentive to the preferences or needs of their child. The

children grow up to be self reliant and were excited about the world. The second
type of parenting behavior is authoritarian. Authoritarian parents have more
power control. However this control is different than authoritative, because it is
not nurturing or supportive. The third parenting behavior is permissive, which
sets few limits to the child. These types of parents tend to be laid back and
5.

uninvolved. Sadly anger builds up and the parent tends to lash out.
There are several things that have an impact children living in poverty
related to learning. One thing that has an impact on a child coming from a low
income neighborhood is poorer child care centers, which affects the child
cognitive learning. Often times children living in poverty has fewer educational or
stimulating toys. Children from low income families often start behind their peers
once they enter the school system. I feel this are all contributors to low income

6.

childrens educational development.

The type of culture I decided to research was Hispanic parenting
styles. I feel that I do not know a lot about the Hispanic community, but often
times they sure do have a bad rap. Of course there are the three types of
parenting styles listed above, but I found some other research. And usually
Hispanics have both a mixture of authoritarian and authoritative styles. They are
authoritative because they set limits or boundaries, but still nurture. But the
authoritarian style set high demands and the belief of physical punishment. And if
physical punishment is not used in the Hispanic culture, then the child does not
learn the difference between right and wrong. Most parents in the Hispanic
community think that if the child goes unpunished the child will then turn around
and get away with everything. The standards are kept high. When the child

reaches 5, the child should have an understanding of the expectations of them.

This same website says that the research that has been conducted has been
inconsistent. Before I decided to research the Hispanic community, I reviewed
Native American parenting styles and to compare them. They are different
because often times in the Native American communities often times there are
7.

more a permissive style.

I decided to study the emotional development of preschoolers, per
the book page 237. One of the most common forms of emotional response for
preschoolers is crying. It is the larger portion of disruptions, next in line would be
anger. But what is important is how the parent interacts with the child. Habitually
parents comfort the preschooler, but in reality a tip or suggestion would be to
encourage responsibility and take control of their actions. At this time
preschoolers are beginning to understand people a little bit better. They begin
self-evaluating emotions and becoming aware of others feelings and behavior. I
believe developing strong stable emotional ties young, will last and most likely
provide stability throughout adulthood.