Our Values

Challenges Facing Families in Australia and Opportunities for Renewal and Support

Why is there a need for Extended Family Networks?

Extended Family Networks in local communities is a network of individuals and families who mutually offer service and support to each other’s physical and emotional needs. The concept of “extended families” is as follows. Families related to each other, or not physically related, become part of an extended family network. Such an extended family network leads to the creation of family support structures, resulting in healthy families and societies. The guiding principles are mutual prosperity, interdependence and universally shared values.

Changes in the composition and structure of families, results in individuals finding it increasingly difficult to get the support normally given by their own physical family. Governments step in to fill the gaps, but this is not sustainable. A 2011 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warns that over the next two decades changes in family compositions will make it hard for many OECD governments to sustain current levels of universal social benefit coverage.

Families are the building blocks of society

Governments and other civil society organisations play a significant role in building a healthy and happy society, however, families are the fundamental building blocks for healthy and happy individuals and society. Much of the success and fulfilment in life depends on creating healthy relationships, yet this is one of the most challenging tasks.

Regardless of our ethnic and national origins, most worldviews or faiths recognise the importance of marriage and family for the wellbeing of the individual and society. The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that the family is the natural and fundamental unit of society, and the family is entitled to protection by the society and the state (Article 16 UDHR).

Why is this so?

1. Values are transferred from generation to generation through the family.

2. Within the family we experience conjugal, parental, children’s and siblings love. The values and love experienced in these relationships enrich our lives.

3. Family values of care, respect and justice are expanded to society when individual’s live these values while they interact with others.

Members of Extended Families Australia provide care for other members - a society based on family values

The ideals of love, happiness and peace are realised by creating loving relationships and families. These ideals expand throughout the broader society with ‘Extended Families’ ties. For example, it becomes possible to connect to others who are not in our immediate family, and relate to them as our parents, grandparents, children, and brothers and sisters. The heart of love between siblings as brothers and sisters in the broader society is the foundation for all people to live for the sake of others.