Which of the following is NOT increased when pursuing self-sufficiency for clients?

• A. Self-esteem
• B. Independence
• C. Family harmony
• D. Responsibility

Answer: (C)

Pursuing self-sufficiency centers on building the client's ability to meet their own needs and participate actively in decision making. When clients gain skills and experience—like finding work, managing money, or solving problems—their sense of capability grows, which boosts self-esteem. They become more independent because they can function with less ongoing support from others. They also take on more responsibility for choices and outcomes, reinforcing accountability for their own life.

Family harmony, while it can improve if clearer boundaries and healthier patterns emerge, is not an automatic or guaranteed outcome of pursuing self-sufficiency. Shifts toward autonomy can change family roles and dynamics, which may temporarily challenge harmony even as individual functioning improves.

For example, a client who learns budgeting and secures employment may feel proud, manage expenses responsibly, and rely less on family for financial help. The family’s overall harmony during this transition depends on how well boundaries are communicated and how conflicts are navigated.