Sat 1 Oct, 2005
Focus on families
Reinforcing the importance of family
This report is the second stage of the Families with Dependent Children – Successful Outcomes project. It combines and discusses results of a literature review, focus groups, and other relevant studies. It presents a cohesive picture of the diverse range of issues important to New Zealand families with dependent children.
This report is part of the Families with Dependent Children – Successful Outcomes project, which was designed to improve understanding of successful outcomes by exploring what families define as the characteristics of family wellbeing.
It combines (1) the results of a literature review of success factors for families with dependent children, with (2) the results of focus groups conducted with families with dependent children across New Zealand. It uses an ecological model to analyse and understand these results. This model recognises that achieving family wellbeing depends on a range of influences within key environments that either help or hinder successful outcomes.
The report will help guide the Families Commission in our ongoing work and also will interest families, professionals who work with them, and policymakers who design programmes that affect them.
Contents include:
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New Zealand context for families with dependent children, including social and demographic information, recent changes and trends
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overview of different issues to be considered when looking at family life
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findings of the focus group research, organised and discussed in terms of an ecological framework of influences on family outcomes:
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living as a family
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families in neighbourhoods, communities and workplaces
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public policy and family supports
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families in society
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discussion of the findings, identification of implications, and conclusions.
