Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In this session, participants explore families and work. Participants will uncover the work of being a family member and learn more deeply about the interdependent lives of families.

Activities in this session include questions for reflection that provide an opportunity for participants to reflect upon the ways culture manifests itself in families. You will need to be sensitive to how these discussions are handled. Watch for answers that might indicate stereotyping, including gender stereotyping. Your response to any such remarks should not be defensive or accusatory, but should lovingly guide participants to broaden their perspective. If you believe such discussions might not be handled by the group in a mature way, if you are uncomfortable leading such discussions, or if your group has only or two members of an ethnic minority who you fear might be put on the spot, simply omit any references to ethnic or racial identities.

Goals

Participants will:

• Broaden and deepen their understandings and definitions of families, including the roles and functions of families
• Explore the meaning of healthy families in a diversity of forms
• Understand multiple perspectives
• Understand and appreciate the emotional, affective, and spiritual dimensions of family
• Grow and deepen their naturally compassionate souls
• Gain an understanding of the roots of UU perspectives on the family and the relationship to the UU Principles

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Learn about the work of being in a family
• Place themselves "in the shoes" of other families
• Understand new commonalities and diversities between families
• Grow their sensitivity and understanding of family functioning
• Deepen their understanding of the role of race, gender, ethnicity, and class in the functioning of families