The child: Their roles and responsibilities in a family

There are many different types of family structures that exist in today's society. These structures include children being brought up by a married couple, a cohabiting couple, a carer, a single parent, a step parent, an older parent. In a healthy family, children and young people are required to take on certain roles and responsibilities within the family.

These include, when being looked after by:

A carer

When a child is being looked after by their local authority, they are known as a child in care. They may be placed with a foster carer, at home with parent under supervision of social services or in a residential home. The roles and responsibilities of the child/children in care include:

• Following the rules set out and agreed between the child/children and the carer

• Making an effort and getting to know the people they have been placed with

• Taking part in the home by carrying out any chores or duties

• Behaving appropriately, being kind and minding their manners

• Attending school everyday

• Communicating with their carer and speaking up if they are unhappy or if they think something is unfair

A single parent

A single parent may be the mother, it may be the father or sometimes, it may be a grandparent raising their grandchildren. The roles and responsibilities of the child/children in this family include:

• Behaving appropriately, being kind and minding their manners

• Taking part in the home by carrying out any chores or duties

• Respecting their parent and appreciating that there is only one of them and acknowledge the hard work that they are doing

• Attending school everyday

• Communicating with their parent and speaking up if they are unhappy or if they think something is unfair

A step-parent

A step-parent is a parent who is married to the father or mother of a child, but who is not that child's own father or mother; they are a stepfather or stepmother. The roles and responsibilities of the child/children in this family include:

• Respecting their step-parent by accepting that they make their mum/dad happy

• Behaving appropriately, being kind and minding their manners

• Taking part in the home by carrying out any chores or duties

• Attending school everyday

• Communicating with their step-parent and speaking up if they are unhappy or if they think something is unfair

An older parent

It is quite difficult in today's society to define what an older parent is. So many women are starting their family and having their children in their 40s that actually it's not really that unusual. However if the father is in his 50s or 60s and having children, then perhaps this could be considered as being an older parent. The roles and responsibilities of the child/children in this family include:

• Respecting their parent by accepting that they may not be as physically able

• Accepting that their parents may have different views that highlight their generational differences

• Behaving appropriately, being kind and minding their manners

• Taking part in the home by carrying out any chores or duties

• Attending school everyday

• Communicating with their parents and speaking up if they are unhappy or if they think something is unfair

A married/cohabiting couple

A married couple or cohabiting couple are two individuals who are bringing up children together. The roles and responsibilities of the child/children in this family include:

• Taking part in the home by carrying out any chores or duties

• Behaving appropriately, being kind and minding their manners

• Respecting their parent and appreciating that there is only one of them and acknowledge the hard work that they are doing

• Attending school everyday

• Communicating with their parents and speaking up if they are unhappy or if they think something is unfair

Check out the CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work Second Edition Textbook to find out more or check out: My Revision Notes: CCEA GCSE Learning for Life and Work: Second Edition

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