Sustaining Families in the 21st Century Developed and authored by NCFR members, this document delivers the message that all public policies affect families, strengthening or diminishing their ability to sustain themselves and prepare the next generation. One can download a FREE acrobat viewer by clicking on the button below. Ideal course material for students of family policy. Statement Concerning Families and Family Policy Families are the basic units of society and our most valuable resource. Healthy, well-functioning families provide members of all ages with rewarding, caring relationships, and with essential mutual support which is sustaining throughout the life course.
Families are the major producers and consumers of goods and services.
They make a central contribution to the nation's present and future workforce and enhance the quality of our society. Conversely, society has a critical effect on families. Therefore, it is essential that family policy makers recognize the reciprocal influences that families and society have upon each other. Family members are best able to perform their vital caring functions when their own basic social, psychological, physical, spiritual, and economic needs are being met. Children develop into competent, productive, loved and loving adults with devoted and sustained parenting.