Family Life Education

What is Family Life Education?

Family Life Education (FLE) equips families with tools to develop solid communication skills, healthy relationships, knowledge of human development, and positive self-esteem (National Council on Family Relations, 2014). Having effective communication skills is essential in the family unit. Having basic knowledge of human development will help families understand what is developing appropriate and will respect the decision-making process. Showing positive self-esteem will give the family the ability to find their strengths to build healthy relationships. Other topics are taught regarding societal issues which include substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, and poverty. Family Life Educators can provide training to families to assist in these life challenges. Many believe that some of these hardships could be prevented or at least minimize them in our society as we educate more families (National Council on Family Relations, 2014).

There are six strategies for growth in the FLE profession. 1.) Promote and support standards of practice; 2.) educate employers and the public; 3.) incorporate FLE in to intervention settings’ 4.) inclusion of family life educators as providers in legislation’ 5.) increase funding for programs focused on prevention; 6.) and carve a niche (Cassidy, 2009). All play an important role to increase growth in this profession. The internship opportunities that have helped with the growth and expansion of FLE in communities and for the students, is one of the most important ways to promote growth (Duncan & Goddard, 2011).

Cassidy, D. (2009) Challenges in family life education: Defining and promoting the profession.

In D. J. Bredehoft & M.J. Walcheski (Eds.) Family life education: Integrating theory and

practice (2nd ed., pp.18-19). St. Paul, MN: National Council on Family Relations.

Duncan, S. F., & Goddard H. W. (2011) Family life education: Principles and practices for

effective outreach. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

National Council on Family Relations (2014). What is family life education? Retrieved from

http://www.ncfr.org/cfle-certification/what-family-life-education