International Center University of Florida

This course focuses on the major social and family problems contemporary families face, including poverty, violence, and care of dependent elders. An emphasis is placed on family strengths and resiliency as well as social programs that help families withstand and overcome difficulties. This course emphasizes the role of society, race and gender in constructing family problems.

The primary aim of this course is to answer the question, “How can we help families?” In order to answer this question, it will be important to understand the contemporary family, some of the stressors they face, how they manage and cope with stressors, how people change, and what resources are available to help families.