ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at families and the many facets of family definitions, dynamics, diversity, and ways to conceptualize and work with them. It examines the definition of family and looks at the changing structures of families. For some, like many in the Western world, family means a nuclear group of blood-related kin. For others, for example many African-Americans, family might include an extended, informal network of people. For other groups, like Asian-Americans, family might include all ancestors and descendants. Social workers increasingly interact and work with individuals who are members of families with diverse characteristics. Although many of these families enjoy the support and strengths that come from the family system, often members of these families face unique barriers and struggles due to the nature of the family system and how it interfaces with social systems and the larger culture.
