Becoming a Parent/Carer
Name the TWO broad types of parents studied in CAFS
Biological parents and social parents.
Name ONE characteristic of a dependant that can affect the role of a parent/carer
Age, skills/capabilities or special needs.
What are the THREE main roles of parents and carers?
Satisfying specific needs, building positive relationships and promoting wellbeing.
What are the TWO main types of support available to parents and carers?
Informal and formal support.
Name ONE social parenting arrangement.
Adoption, fostering, step-parenting or surrogacy.
What is the difference between a biological parent and a social parent?
A biological parent has a genetic relationship with the child; a social parent takes on a parenting role without necessarily having a biological relationship.
dentify THREE personal factors that may affect how someone performs their parenting or caring role.
Education, previous experience/upbringing and socioeconomic status.
Give TWO examples of responsibilities parents have towards their dependants.
Examples include duty of care, setting limits, discipline, providing needs, education or accessing healthcare
Give TWO examples of informal support.
Relatives, friends or neighbours.
Explain ONE difference between fostering and adoption.
Adoption permanently transfers legal parental responsibility, while fostering generally provides care without permanently transferring legal parenthood.
A child's mother's new partner takes an active parenting role. What type of social parent are they?
A step-parent
A parent works long hours and has limited money for childcare. Which personal factor is most clearly influencing their parenting role?
Socioeconomic status.
A parent regularly listens to their teenager, spends time with them and encourages open communication. Which parenting role is MOST directly demonstrated?
Building positive relationships.
Name THREE types of formal services that could support parents or carers.
Any three: healthcare, education, financial support, childcare, respite care or counselling.
How can technology influence becoming a parent? Give ONE example.
Reproductive technologies can provide alternative pathways to parenthood, such as IVF or surrogacy.
Alex provides unpaid daily assistance to an elderly grandparent. What type of carer is Alex most likely to be?
An informal carer.
A father believes childcare should mainly be performed by women because this was expected when he was growing up. Identify TWO factors influencing his role.
Gender expectations and previous experience/upbringing.
Explain how satisfying a child's safety needs could promote their wellbeing.
Providing a safe environment reduces risk of harm and can increase feelings of security, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing.
A full-time carer is exhausted and needs a temporary break from caring responsibilities. Which service would be MOST appropriate?
Respite care.
Explain ONE way legislation can influence parents or carers.
Legislation establishes legal rights and responsibilities and can regulate arrangements such as adoption, surrogacy or the care of children.
Compare adoption and fostering in terms of how each may affect the role of a social parent.
Both involve caring for a child and meeting their needs, but adoption generally creates a permanent legal parenting relationship, whereas fostering may be temporary and involves working within formal care arrangements.
Jamie is a young first-time parent with limited income but strong family support. Explain how TWO factors could influence Jamie's parenting role.
Limited socioeconomic resources may restrict access to goods/services, while strong family support can provide advice, practical assistance and emotional support, helping Jamie fulfil parenting responsibilities.
A parent sets clear boundaries around their teenager's social media use but also discusses the rules and listens to their teenager's concerns. Explain how this demonstrates TWO roles of parents.
Setting boundaries helps satisfy safety needs/promote wellbeing, while communication and listening help build a positive relationship.
A carer is struggling financially, feels socially isolated and needs occasional relief from caring. Recommend THREE types of services and justify each.
Financial support for economic needs, counselling/support groups for emotional/social support, and respite care to provide temporary relief from caring responsibilities.
Evaluate how a change in social attitudes could affect parents or carers.
More accepting attitudes toward diverse family structures or caring roles may reduce stigma, increase social support and improve access to services, helping parents/carers fulfil their roles and promote wellbeing.