Rachel Loser and Dr. E. Jeffrey, Hill, Home & Family Life

The recent development of the Home & Family Living Analysis (HFL-A) by myself, other students, and faculty of the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University initiated research on the affects of the “home” by administering a home-based scholarly inventory to make visible how the structure, technology, and design of the home and the activities of everyday family living interact and contribute to or detract from healthy family and spiritual relationships. As part of this project, useful aspects of family recreation in the home have been revealed. This project was funded by a $20,000 MEG grant as well as my personal $1500 ORCA grant.

This groundbreaking research project is designed to illuminate aspects of family life in a way that no other research has done before. The purpose of the project is to shed light on family life in the home and to produce something analogous to the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (H.O.M.E.) inventory (Caldwell & Bradley, 1984) to assess and document how aspects of the home affect family relationships. These aspects include such things as layout, design, special features, functions of the house, technology, furnishings, outdoor features, and maintenance. In addition we documented and study everyday “Family Living,” which represents the common daily practices that occur in the home. These everyday family living activities include family meal time, family work, the interface between paid work and home, family clothing, family education, family worship, and family recreation. For our purposes, we focused on the findings of family recreational activities. It is proposed that the organization of time and space in the home affects the meaningfulness of family recreation, which in turn affects the quality of family relationships. This conceptual framework demonstrates the theory supporting HFL-A. Over the course of 4 months (September-December 2004), 20 homes were visited. From these 20 projects, the following times and data were collected.

The Home and Family Living Analysis uses a variety of qualitative research techniques to identify characteristics of home, everyday activities, and relationships. First, the family’s home environment was observed and documented with video tape and observation notes. Next, participants, their spouse, and at least two children filled out a written survey packet consisting of 204 questions. At least 4 family members were then interviewed (father, mother, & two children) about the meaning and significance of their home and family activities. These interviews were recorded and coded for recreation themes discussed hereafter. The last part of the HFL-A protocol called for observing one family activity that was important to each family. These activities ranged from observing family meal time to observing family religious practices. These activities were video taped as well for documenting and referencing purposes.

Several preliminary themes concerning Family Recreation in the Home were identified as each of the interviews were transcribed and coded. Among these themes the most prevalent themes were: 1)Homes with space for recreation allowed and encouraged family members to participate in recreation more often; 2) Togetherness and family recreation enhance family relationships; 3)
When involved in family recreation, family members were happier and easier to get along with; and 4) Every family has a different definition of recreation.

As demonstrated through the responses of the qualitative interviewing, recreation in the home is a large part of family life. Theme 1 demonstrates the importance of the home structure and its effect on family recreation. The structure and features of a home are truly an important part to the equation of family recreation. The environmental features and ambiance of your home can affect the duration, frequency, and even creativity of recreational activities. Aspects such as layout, space, décor, and outdoor features might influence leisure time and should be considered when looking for a home that fits a family’s needs.

Themes 2-4 demonstrate the importance of family recreation on family relationships. Keep in mind that the family recreation studied here is tied to the home and is more than just one summer vacation a year. Family recreation should be an everyday occurrence that takes place in the home. As families recognize and improve the layout in their home as it affects their recreational activities their family relationships will be enhanced. This qualitative research supports other research that recreation is important for family life and human development.

Families should take greater care to incorporate more family activities as it will enhance family relationships and overall happiness. They will find unity and joy as they define and participate in their own forms of family recreation. These activities are essential to the lives of those who do them, and seem to be a recurring theme found in stable, loving homes. The HFL-A inventory is a project early in its developmental cycle. It has much potential in years to come. This project will continue to be developed throughout the year of 2005 and beyond if enough funding is provided. This project has potential to contribute to the emotional, spiritual, and physical goals of an effective family. Family professionals, counselors, and leisure and family scholars can all benefit from the findings and themes that have been discovered through the HFL-A inventory. Home builders and home seekers can also benefit from this research as features of the home and how they relate to family dynamics are exposed. More than anything, I hope that this project initiates a movement to focus on the home environment and time and space of family life. Research in this area is practically nonexistent. We encourage scholarly professionals everywhere to assist in answering Daly’s call by illuminate everyday activities and thereby strengthening the current theories of family life.

The experiences I have had while developing and implementing this great project have been overwhelmingly insightful and positive. I have loved the time I have spent learning about homes and how they relate to family life. I have especially loved what I have learned about recreation in the home. I am grateful for the opportunity to research these important family processes and hope to be able to continue this research for my thesis as I anticipate beginning graduate work in Marriage, Family, and Human Development next semester.