CYC 605 Chapter 4: Who are we working with

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Child and Youth Care
• Course: CYC 605
• Professor: Leslie Yaffa

Document Summary

There is no longer any such phenomenon as a singular, universal family form. Not only does it involve those who are married (same / opposite sex/ single parent, common law) with children, it has further definitions. Aboriginal peoples" definition of extended family include significant others who are not related by birth, but are given the title of parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle and others: depending on one"s culture / identity. Family is no longer defined as some kind of natural, instinctive and sacred. Families are now seen as a part of the solution / central to solution: because family is the most influential of relationships of development. Lasting change is only facilitated when helping professionals interested in the troubled young person are involved with the total family system. Historically, the young person was the total focus of the worker. Nowadays, the worker came to focus on the young person and the parent(s)