The strengthening families program is an international program designed to reduce major risk factors associated with inappropriate teen behavior and poor parenting (FSD, 2012). It is designed for both high risk families and regular families. It has been implemented in various countries with considerable success. Substance use and juvenile delinquency represent a great danger to the youth. High risk families targeted by the program are those in which one or both parents are abusing drugs. This paper will analyze the advantages of the strengthening families program. It will also offer an opinion on whether the government should provide similar programs to communities.
The strengthening families program is beneficial to both the government and families. First, it saves money for the government and families (Segrott, 2008). Inappropriate behavior like juvenile delinquency and substance abuse can be very costly to the government. The cost of correcting the behavior through rehabilitation programs and adjudication is high as compared to investing in preventive programs. It is apparent that preventive programs are expensive but it has been reported that the benefits of such programs outweigh the costs.
For every amount of money invested in a preventive program much more is saved in future costs. Rehabilitation is more expensive than preventing the development of a habit. These programs also prevent the loss of future earnings. Inappropriate behavior like substance abuse and delinquency can reduce one’s ability to secure a job in future. Unemployment increases the dependency ratio. In addition, imprisonment restricts the kind of jobs one can be hired to do.
The program strengthens family functioning (Segrott, 2008). Benefits gained by attending the program include improved family functioning. Attending the program enables the parents to bond with their children. Children also get a chance to bond with each other. This is crucial for family functioning because it fosters respect between parents and their children. Parents get to know their children better. Parents also benefit from improved parenting skills. This ensures that children grow up to be responsible adults.
The program also improves communication and understanding in the family (Segrott, 2008). The program is designed in such a way that it encourages parents and children to communicate with each other. Communication is the single most important factor necessary for family functioning. Proper communication ensures that parents can pass important information to their children. They can also get to know in advance what their children are doing. In case of punishment, it is important to communicate to children the reason for their punishment. This is to ensure that a corrective measure achieves its desired effect. Lack of communication can elicit a rebellious response from the children.
More programs like this should be provided by the government. This is because programs designed to provide support to families have many benefits. The programs benefit the government in the long run. Properly functioning societies are a result of well adjusted families. The government can save on future costs by investing on programs that encourage proper functioning of communities. In general, it is easy to govern a properly functioning society than a malfunctioning society.
This paper examined the benefits of the strengthening families program and offered the reasons why more similar programs should be provided by the government. The program reduces future costs, improves family functioning, and improves communication between parents and their children. Properly functioning societies are beneficial to the government because they ease governing.
References
Segrott, J. (2008). Assessing the potential of the Cardiff Strengthening Families Programme10-14 (UK) as a national programme for Wales. WORD. Web.
Strengthening Families program (2012). Web.