抄録
The following is a study on relationship between the family and social work and ways to connect the current Japanese family with social work practice amid recent trend toward home-based personal services. First, three theories on the family are sociologically examined: a modern Western family theory ("the modern Western family ideology"), a new family theory of Japan ("the neo "Ie" ideology") and a family theory focusing on individuals ("the individual-oriented family ideology"). The individual oriented theory is concluded on the examination and comparison to fit best social work functioning in reality since the theory agrees with goals of social work such as human respect and self realization. The theory also helps solve problems about Japanese families at present. Then, the social support network approach is examined as a potential to put the individual-oriented theory into real social work practice. Some actual suggestion is made for the realization. The theory is expected to prove that the family supports individuals in taking care of the aged and attendant issues, instead of constraining individuals as is usually thought.
