Resiliency and Public Policy

Policy decisions -- local, state, or federal -- may dramatically affect the lives of families. Yet, policy proposals often focus on individuals such as unwed parents, youth offenders, or school dropouts, and fail to consider them as part of families.

According to Shirley Zimmerman, family policy is a "certain perspective for thinking, understanding, and acting regarding families." From the family resiliency perspective, all families have strengths. Empowerment becomes the chief cornerstone of policies that enhance resiliency.

The essential first step in developing family-friendly policies is to ask the right questions. G. L. Stevens suggests some questions as guides: What values have influenced the development of the policy? Does the proposal benefit one group of families at the expense of others? What will be the short- and long-term impact on families and communities? Does the policy enhance or deter family stability?

T. Ooms and S,. Preister outlined six guiding principles for evaluating policy impact on families. Each principle reflects an implied value.

1. Family Support and Responsibilities. Policies should support and supplement family functioning and provide substitute services as a last resort.

   Underlying Value: Families fill some functions best; substitutes are a last resort.

2. Family Membership and Stability. Policies should encourage and reinforce family commitment and stability, especially when children are involved.

   Underlying Value: Removal of family members is justified only as protection from serious harm.

3. Family Involvement and Interdependence. Policies must recognize the interdependence of family relationships, the strength of family ties and obligations, and the resources families have to help their members.

   Underlying Value: Solutions to individual problems shouldn't harm other family members.

4. Family Partnership and Empowerment. Policies must encourage family members to collaborate as partners with professionals in service delivery.

   Underlying Value: Policies usually are more relevant to family needs when families are involved in their development.

5. Family Diversity. Policies must acknowledge and value the diversity of family life and recognize the different ways families may be impacted.

   Underlying Value: All families need support and shouldn't be disadvantaged because of structure, cultural values, life stage, or circumstance.

6. Family Vulnerability Families with the greatest economic and social need should have first priority in government policies.

   Underlying Value: All families deserve support. Policies should give special consideration to those with the greatest social and economic limitations, and to those most likely to break down.