In the context of family partnership, what does a deficit perspective entail?

A deficit perspective in the context of family partnership focuses on identifying and emphasizing what is wrong or lacking in a family's situation. This approach typically involves assessing families against a set of societal norms or expectations, highlighting their challenges, issues, or weaknesses instead of recognizing their strengths and abilities. When practitioners adopt a deficit perspective, they may prioritize the challenges that families face without engaging with the families to understand their unique needs or perspectives.

Conversely, approaches that allow families to define their own needs or focus on building resilience and celebrating achievements promote a strengths-based perspective. These latter approaches encourage collaboration with families, recognizing their capabilities, and fostering confidence, rather than solely concentrating on deficits or problems.