Strong Families Around the World

Abstract

The family is one of society's oldest and most resilient institutions. Although the structure of the family may vary around the world, the value of family endures. Most of the research on families, historically speaking, has focused primarily on the problems or weaknesses of families. Over the past three decades, researchers have studied families from a strengths-based perspective. Around the world researchers have found that families are amazingly similar. The similarities point to a set of qualities that describe the characteristics of strong families. These qualities are showing appreciation and affection, commitment, positive communication, enjoyable times together, spiritual well-being, and the ability to manage stress and crisis effectively. Twenty-two propositions have also been suggested that have relevance in how we look at families in general. The information has relevance and purpose and should serve to inform and expand our thinking about families. The information may have significance to some specific areas and particular fields, especially to the areas of family services, family education, marital and family therapy, and social policy.

Key Words:

• Cross-cultural families
• family strengths
• international family strengths network
• strengths-based perspective
• strengths-based practice
• strong families