Imbuing the Study of Family Resource Management with a Global Perspective

Abstract

Family resource management is a course ripe for inclusion of international approaches and perspectives for a variety of reasons. First, the topic is inherently global; second, family studies students need to be prepared to work with culturally diverse families; and finally, global citizenship is increasingly identified as aim of liberal arts education. This paper suggests strategies and approaches for imbuing family resource management with a global perspective. It may be of interest to faculty teaching family resource management or other family studies courses who wish to integrate a global perspective into their courses. Family resource management is one of the 10 family life education content areas recognized by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Competency in this area is required for certification in family life education. According to NCFR, family resource management involves an understanding of the decisions individuals and families make about developing and allocating resources including time, money, material assets, energy, friends, neighbors, and space to meet their (National Council on Family Relations, 2009). Family resource management includes the study of family goals and values, decision-making processes, and wants and needs. Courses in family resource management are commonly offered at the undergraduate level as a requirement for students in family studies or related programs. The study of family resource management warrants a global perspective because family resource management issues are inherently global and family studies students should be prepared to work with diverse families. Furthermore, imbuing the study of family resource management with a global perspective supports the general movement toward global citizenship as part of universities' liberal arts mission.