10 Building Blocks
The Framework
RELATIONAL CONNECTION - The family defines itself as a distinct unit with established membership, in which individuals experience a sense of belonging to the whole. Whether by blood, adoption, or choice, the members have an established, enduring physical and emotional relationship to each other intended to perpetuate and repopulate through future generations.
STRUCTURE - A healthy family has a defined hierarchy, with parents in a position of respected authority; defined roles and expectations for family members; established and enforced rules and discipline strategies; and clear and appropriate boundaries. The family values each member as an individual with his/her own thoughts, feelings, needs, and interests. The family equitably fulfills each person’s physical, psychological, emotional, and social needs appropriately, according to age and developmental level.
VALUES - A healthy family identifies itself with a common worldview, belief system, and life purpose that informs and directs their priorities and goals. Individual members develop and refine these ideals independently as each grows toward adulthood. A healthy family accepts differences among its members with humility and love.
LOYALTY - A healthy family is committed to serving each other and faithfully protecting each other’s best interests above other people or interests.
TRUST - A healthy family establishes a safe and protective environment in which members’ essential physical, emotional, and psychological needs are met. Family members strive to be honest, consistent, reliable, credible, and authentic with each other.
Internal Dynamics
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT - A healthy family constructs effective problem-solving strategies that serve to benefit the whole unit and promote enduring connection for members over disengagement.
COMMUNICATION - A healthy family develops effective speaking and listening skills in an effort to exchange information, remain engaged in each other’s interests, validate each person’s thoughts and feelings, and understand one another more completely.
EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION - A healthy family creates a healthy environment that encourages members to express all emotions in healthy ways as a means for connecting to one another on a deeper and more intimate level and affirming each person’s value and lived experience.
External Supports
FUN - A healthy family engages in enjoyable bonding activities that promote friendship, leisure, stress-reduction, laughter, discovery, exploration, and tradition. These activities create collective memories among the members and add meaning to their relationships and cultural identity.
RESOURCES - A healthy family enlists the partnerships of support systems that help them to build resilience, cope, and grow. These can include relationships with other people who mutually support their values, needs, or goals or establishments (such as schools, social services, or community groups) that increase their abilities, broaden their perspectives, and/or provide assets that enrich their lives.
