Family Assets: Things That Make Families Strong

What are family assets?

In simplified terms, they are the things that make families strong. That is, the qualities of families who are functional.

The American Family Assets Study released last June by the Search Institute includes the most comprehensive national survey of family assets ever conducted in the United States. The Search Institute developed The Family Assets Index to capture the diversity of ways family members support one another through their day-to-day interactions and focus on family relationships, interactions, opportunities, values, skills, and self-perceptions. The Index was informed by scientific research in the areas of family systems theory, resiliency, and adolescent development; as well as listening sessions hosted with youth, adults, family professionals, and leaders in family research and policy arenas.

Data for this study came from an online survey conducted in June 2011 among 1,511 parent adults and their 10- to 15-year old child (one parent-child pair per family). Participants were recruited to represent a diverse mix of genders, races, ethnicities, and socieoeconomic statuses.

The following are some highlights of the study:

  • The average American family surveyed scores 47 out of 100 on the Family Assets Index.
  • Families are more alike than different when it comes to overall levels of Family Assets. When comparing different subgroups of families, there are no meaningful differences in overall levels of Family Assets based on income, family structure (single-parent or two-parent; heterosexual or LGBT parenting adults), parents’ education level, region of the country, or immigrant status.   

Read more 

(source: www.bccf.ca)