Kendal Gott FCST 423
Introduction
Family Law is a Family and Child Studies course that I thoroughly enjoyed. I enjoyed the course content, course work, and the class discussion. Though I find law to be very interesting, I feel I underestimated the value of being informed and aware of family law and our policy-making system when pursuing a career in family and child studies and/or family life education. Much of our country’s legislation directly or indirectly affects families. Our government deliberates and decides on issues of marriage, divorce, child welfare, foster-care, adoption, women’s healthcare rights and restrictions, child healthcare, public education, curriculum requirements, higher education, job safety, cost of living adjustments, the economy, taxes, retirement, and social security, all of which can affect the family unit. While a family life educator may not exclusively educate his or her client’s on the contents of family law and public policy, it is absolutely necessary that a family educator be aware and informed of family law and public policy. The family life educator must be prepared to educate and inform his or her client of family law or policy that will assist the client in preserving the family unit and strengthening families.
Explanation
As family law and public policy continue to change, the definition of family will continue to change as well. Example: The 2015 Supreme Court ruling on Obergefell v. Hodges concluded that the Constitution guarantees a nationwide right to same sex-marriage. As eloquently stated by Natalie Angier of the New York Times, “the typical American family, if it ever lived anywhere but on Norman Rockwell’s Thanksgiving canvas, has become as multilayered and full of surprises as a holiday turduckling — the all-American seasonal portmanteau of deboned turkey, duck and chicken. Researchers who study the structure and evolution of the American family express unsullied astonishment at how rapidly the family has changed in recent years, the transformations often exceeding or capsizing those same experts’ predictions of just a few journal articles ago
(http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/health/families.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).” Family law and public policy influence concepts of family values, family responsibilities, and society’s responsibility for family well-being. As stated by Gibbons, “Societal responsibility for family well-being includes the responsibilities of federal and state governments to put policies and programs in place for the well-being of families and society (p.3).”
My internship at the Education and Treatment Council allowed me to see the importance of having a solid foundation of family law familiarity and public policy understanding, when many of the client’s are dealing with legal issues of child welfare, child custody, and/or termination of parental rights. According to HG.org, “family law consists of a body of statutes and case precedents that govern the legal responsibilities between individuals who share a domestic connection. These cases usually involve parties who are related by blood or marriage, but family law can affect those in more distant or casual relationships as well. Due to the emotionally charged nature of most family law cases, litigants are strongly advised to retain legal counsel (https://www.hg.org/family.html).” Family life educators can be subpoenaed to court and can have influence over the preservation of families and child welfare decisions.
HG.org Legal Resources. (2016). Family Law: Guide to Parental Rights and Obligations. HG.org.
Angier, N. (2013). The Changing American Family. New York City, NY: The New York Times.
Gibbons, A. (2014). Concepts about ‘Family’ that influence Policies and Law-making. Lake Charles, LA: McNeese State University.
Teaching Activity or Resource
This flow chart allows students to study the completed side of the worksheet, as they study and memorize they can then attempt to fill out the blank side. This is a great way to learn and study the many steps of how a bill becomes a law. Dr. Gibbons provided my Family Law and Public Policy class with this resource.
Gibbons, A. (2014). How a Bill Becomes a Law Flowchart. Lake Charles, LA: McNeese State University.
Informational Resources
Copy and paste: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Home.aspx
The Louisiana State Legislature website provides a law search, congressional session information, and information on our state senators and representatives. This can be a great educational tool for those wanting to learn more about family law and public policy.
Louisiana State Legislature. (2016). Louisiana State Legislature. Baton Rouge, LA: https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Home.aspx
Copy and paste: http://www.pta.org/advocacy/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3222&navItemNumber=556
The National Parent Teacher Alliance is a wonderful way for teachers and parents to work together and to say informed on federal policy agendas that influence teachers, students, and the education system.
National PTA. (2016). The National Alliance of Teachers and Parents. Alexandria,
This handout explains how the concept of family values can influence family law and public policy. Dr. Gibbons provided this document resource for my Family Law and Public Policy course.
Gibbons, A. (2014). Concepts about ‘Family’ that influence Policies and Law-making. Lake Charles, LA: McNeese State University.