A nuclear family unit - Essay Example

? Family paper Family paper Q1 In almost every family, there are similar yet construed things that members of these families do on adaily basis. The type of family that this researcher visited and interviewed is a nuclear family unit. The family looked presentable; the father is concerned with the health of both the expectant mother and the unborn child. This is evident with the kind of health measures that he has taken in order to ensure the whole family is safe (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). Being a nuclear family unit, the visited family has the parents and two children with them expecting another in a few months. One can describe the ages of this family unit as chronological in order. First, the father is 42 years, works as a carpenter, and appears healthy and strong. The mother is 36 years old, a truck driver, and smokes one packet of cigarettes per day. The girl is 12 years old, attends school as required, and no petty issues were noted except the fact that she appears a bit overweight for a girl of such age but no obesity as such to be reported. The boy is six years old and plays well, meaning he is physically fit. It would be accurate to describe this family’s social group as middle working class particularly with the ability to afford their children’s education, medical insurance, and a four bed-roomed house. Although the father did reach 11th grade, he did not manage to graduate while the mother has knowledge in attending heavy machinery. Thus, the educational background of this family is obsolete and this could be the reason they are seeking to have their children study hard in order to break that chain of low levels of education (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). Generally, the family has a great deal of strengths given that the father was treated for alcoholism and resolved to become a responsible husband and a father while the mother was treated for a health issue that could affect her delivery system. Additionally, both parents are regular cigarette smokers but the children are doing great which leads to the conclusion that the whole family is physically fit (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). The family was also very appealing during the whole interview process as their individual strengths could be manifested in what they do on their daily basis. The setting of this home is intact and has the relevant requirements of such kind of a family. The house has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It is also very clean and neat signifying that it is always tidy. Q2 As of this point, the family looks prepared both psychologically and physically since they have made tremendous progress regarding the incoming baby. Pertinently, the mother is looking forward to stop working when she is one month due to the speculated date of the actual birth. The father is working tirelessly and has an insurance cover against any health risks that may befall the family. Generally, the whole family is considering the presence of the unborn child as a blessing rather than a burden a factor that shows that it is ready for another member of the family (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). With comparison to the textbook, a fully prepared family both physically and psychologically is that which has almost all the necessary things that a pregnant woman needs as well as the essential items that a born child requires. What was the topic that stood out Nutritional status Nutritional status This family’s nutrition status is incredible following the fact that they keep a healthy diet. Their breakfast composes of peanut toast with yoghurt and fruits as snack. They take nutritious lunch full of proteins and supper involves red meat, vegetables, and ice cream as snack. Hence, this family’s nutrition status stands out as the best topic of discussion during the interview. Bonding behaviors First, the relationship between the mother and father is healthy. Second, the children go to the same school and play together pointing out that they relate to each other well. Therefore, the research concluded that the overall family relationship is in the best terms since the parents have time for their children. Preparation for the coming of a new member Actually, according to the family members, the unborn baby is already a member of the family. The family is very ready for the child and has gone ahead and purchased some of the essentials that the infant would require including bottles, diapers, and clothes among others. According to the book, the topic was ‘normal’ due to the description that there was trust and few cases of guilt particularly opining to the idea that both father and mother have previous health issues that have seen them through treatment. Although the description of the status normal in the interview did not match that of the textbook in some ways, the descriptions indicated that the difference is not that large. The behaviors seen in the family are describable as neat but relatively conducive (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). This is so because despite having almost all the necessary requirements, the parents risk affecting the health of their children through smoking. Since both the father and the mother smoke a pack of cigarettes everyday, they may have their habits spread to their children affecting them health wise. Smoking while pregnant can lead to some complications to both the expectant mother and the unborn child. For instance, the mother may have her fetus develop some complications, which may then lead to general health issues during or after birth. With reference to the book, the behavior recorded during the interview is somewhat different from that in the book. This follows the idea that the book advocates for the most conducive environment for all family members where a habit practiced by one member of the family does not infringe the health statuses of the others negatively (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). As a nurse, I would counsel the family and help see it through this smoking issue. Overly, smoking is a health hazard and needs proper control in order to avoid further health complications in the future. As such, I would assume my responsibility as a nurse, take the family through a series of counseling sessions, and help them navigate through the problem. Q3 The family defines health as state of being free from any physical or medical complications that require treatment. This family describes its health as normal or somehow above the usual since it has several advantages against diseases or sickness. As of now, this family does not have any health barriers but the interview worries that if this smoking habit continues for a while longer, it may cause some health issues (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). The father happens to be the person who makes the crucial health decisions but the mother can still chip in at times when the father may be absent. With regard to this family, being in a stable health condition is very important and therefore it considers this a priority at all times. It tries its level best to avoid any cases of lack of health control where it perceives self-efficacy as a factor facilitating health safety within and outside the home. It is tricky to put across whether the family sees benefits to the behaviors suggested by health care providers during pregnancy in general specifically due to the idea that the mother received instructions not to smoke but has never stopped smoking (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). The mother still smokes and drives trucks, which she says that she will only stop working when she has only one month remaining. Conclusions The Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs posits that every single individual has same needs as the other particularly arranged according to the order of their importance. The said family is trying its level best to meet every member’s physiological needs, safety, security, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs. Succinctly, the family sticks together at all times despite knowing that a family can undergo tough times especially when a little baby is on the way (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). Both parents love one another and have lots of affection for their children. They provide all the basic needs for their children and offer support to them by putting them through a learning process and teaching sessions. Note that the stated needs start from bottom to top with reference to the Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Summary of the interview process The overall interview process can be described as a success project given that all the family members were willing to offer the relevant information and were very responsive towards the questions asked. Moreover, their tone of reception to that of responding was satisfying and provided the atmosphere with a feeling of freedom and relaxation such that I could as many questions as regards the interview process (Doane & Varcoe, 2005). I learnt that a family should have a sound medical program with a medical insurance cover that can help them in case of any health complication. In the future, I seek to do whatever it takes to reduce cases of smoking among pregnant women. In this family, the role of a practical nurse would be to counsel the family of dangers of engaging in hazardous health behaviors. References Doane, G. & Varcoe, C. (2005). Family nursing as relational inquiry: Developing health-promoting practice. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More