By the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:
· Explain the term resources.
· Classify resources available to individuals and families.
· Describe the characteristics of resources and how they are related to personal management.
RESOURCES
Resources are those things which families can use to meet their needs and reach their goals. OR things that can be used to meet goals.
Resources are assets. Assets are tools, talents and possessions which people use to achieve their goals or solve everyday problems in life e.g. water, air, land, energy, time, knowledge, skills, and equipment.
OR
· Resources are tools, capabilities and assets which individuals possess and which are used to obtain what they need.
· Resources available to individuals and families vary in kind, quantity and quality. The particular mix of resources determines the quality of life for individuals and families.
· Resources may be used immediately or stored for future use.
· Resources are considered as such only when they are recognized and are available to families and individuals.
Classification of Resources
Resources can be classified into human and non-human.
Human Resources
Human resources are all the special means and
qualities that you possess. They are human/personal characteristics that individuals
possess and can be used to achieve goals e.g., knowledge, skills, mental
health, energy, time, creativity, interest, etc.
Non-Human or Material Resources Non-human or material
resources are material possessions that people have and can be used to achieve
goals e.g., money, equipment, furniture, time, houses/space, farm, etc.
Community Resources
Community resources are the facilities in the
community which individuals and families need but cannot provide themselves.
They are publicly shared resources that citizens develop for themselves or are
provided by the governments. e.g., schools, libraries, banks, roads, water
supply, hospitals, parks, electricity, markets, etc.
Characteristics of Resources All resources:
(i) Are limited or scarce: Not readily available all the time and thus may vary in
quantity and quality.
(ii) Could be managed: Resources could be
managed judiciously to improve the quality of life of the individual and the
family as a whole.
(iii) Have alternate uses/can be substituted.
Resources have alternative uses or can be interchanged to achieve a goal. E.g.,
if I do not have time to wash, I can pay someone to wash for me. In paying for
the washing, I have substituted my time for money.
(iv) Can be exchanged: That is one resource
substituted for another.
(v) Can be developed: Resources can be
developed. Human knowledge or skill, the more you use it the more you develop
it.
(vi) Can be transferred: Resources can be
transported or moved from one place to another.
(vii) Can be saved: Resources can be saved
(money) pending when it's needed.
Importance Of Resources in Meeting Family Needs
i. Human resources identify, exploit
and have control over the other resources. Human beings because of their
intelligence can control other resources for maximum benefit.
ii. Development is only possible through the
contribution of individuals who are healthy and educated. They develop the
framework and technology for the development of the family and the country as a
whole.
iii. Human resources provide labor which is necessary
for the economic growth and development of both the family and nation. They
serve as a source of employment.
IV. Material resources serve as a source of fuel. E.g.,
Petroleum and natural gas, used for construction purposes e.g., Zinc, used to
roof our homes, provides employment e.g. drillers, miners, engineers, and used
to provide us with basic amenities e.g. electricity, pipe borne water, roads,
telephone etc.
v. Community resources provides the family with
recreational centers, markets, hospitals, etc.
Types of Resources
Resources may be tangible or intangible. They are
tangible when they can be seen, touched and measured. e.g., include a house, car,
television, furniture, plants, money, etc.
On the other hand, they are intangible when they
cannot be seen touched and sometimes measured e.g., include air, energy, sound,
interest, etc.
Factors That Influence the Management of Family Resources
·
Goals:
Goals are targets you set for yourself or what you aim to accomplish for your
family
·
Standards:
They are what a person or family will accept as good and worthwhile
·
Needs:
They are things we cannot do without. They are basic items the family must have
to live.
·
Values:
They are the beliefs, feelings and experiences that people consider important
and desirable
·
Wants:
These are things we can do without but would like to have in order to enhance
the quality of life e.g., a car, a mobile phone
·
Events:
These are things outside your control, they are unexpected occurrences
e.g., accident, fire outbreak, sudden illness.
Examination Questions and Suggested Solutions
1.a. Why do
we need to manage our resources? (1993)
We need to manage our resources effectively and
efficiently because resources are scarce and limited.
b. List
eight resources that maybe available to a family and classify them under two main headings.
|
Human Resources |
Non-human Resources |
|
i.
Skills ii. Knowledge iii.
Intelligence iv.
Time v.
Energy |
i. Money ii.
Tools iii. Equipment iv. Schools v. Houses vi. Markets vii. Sewing
machine viii. Text books etc |
c. Identify three characteristics of resources and
explain how each is important in management.
(i) Scarce: That is resources are not readily
available all the time and must therefore be used judiciously.
(ii)Limited: Resources vary both in quantity and quality.
It is important to use resources judiciously and for things that need
attention.
(iii) Usefulness: It does not become a resource unless
used for a particular purpose. It should be used to improve the quality of life
or work.
(iv)Can be substituted: Alternative resources can
be identified and used to meet goals.
(v) Interchangeable: Resources have multiple uses. Resources can be used for several things and must be used to derive maximum benefit.
2.a. What are resources? (June 2000)
Resources are tools, capabilities, talents and assets which people use to achieve their goals or solve everyday problems in life e.g., of resources include water, air, land, energy, time, knowledge, skills and equipment.
Types of Resources
(i) Community resources: Schools, libraries, roads, water supply hospitals, parks, banks, electricity,
markets etc.
(ii) Human resources Example,
knowledge, skills, mental health, energy, time, interest, creativity, friends, families,
attitude, etc.
(iii) Material resources Example, money, equipment,
furniture houses / space, farm, nature, tools, etc.
b. Explain the differences between the three kinds of resources
you mentioned in a (ii) above.
Human resources are found in or within the human being
e.g., knowledge, energy, attitude, interest whiles material resources are
things found in or within the environment and they include money, tools,
equipment, house, etc. and Community resources are resources that are shared by
many and thus individuals’ families cannot provide themselves or facilities
that are publicly owned e.g., hospitals, schools, roads, banks, markets, etc.
(c) Explain in your own words
Resources are scarce and limited
Scarce means resources are not always available,
limited means resources vary in quality and quantity.
Examination Questions
l. Define the term resources.
2. i. Explain the following concepts
(a) Human resources.
(b) Non-human
(ii) Community resources
3.a. Define energy
b. Discuss one characteristics of energy as a
resource.
c. Mention and explain four causes of fatigue giving an example of each. (Nov 1995)
4.a.i. What are resources?
ii. Why do we need to manage resources?
b. State four characteristics of resources and explain
how each is important in management (June 2002)
0 Comments