Characteristics Of Family Communication

1810 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Culture differences in communication

I. Introduction Family is an intimate group of two or more people who live together in commitment relationship, care for one another and share activities and close emotional bound (Benokraitis 2011; Berk 2003; Gidden, Duneir and Appelbaum , 2005). According to Olson (2000), a family is seen as two or more people who are committed to each other and who share intimacy, resources decision-making responsibilities, and values. A family is a unit that found in every society (Knox and Schacht, 2010). Again, according to Grunlan and Mayers, 1988), explained family is the basic unity of every society. This means that family, the foundation society, social institution as well as it is a small and large group of people life together as a family member …show more content…

Thus, an individual’s well being in terms of social, psychological, social status, is seen within the framework of family system and family communication. Hence, this research tried to explore major contents of family communication among ten selected families drawn from four cultural groups. However, this research has its focus on nuclear family for the nature and the characteristics of family communication. The study targeted is parent’s husband and wife, and their children of different and the same cultural groups. The researcher used terminologies like “cultural groups” and “ethnic” …show more content…

Once families are formed, members of the family continue to relate with each other through communication. Therefore, family communication is necessary for common understanding of concept of family communication itself. Again, family communication reflects interpersonal connection and affection among family such as understanding discussion, being cooperative, sharing feelings with each other, kindness, mutual caring, respect for individuality and positive communication (Olson, 1997). However, the idea of family, family communication and communication is not easy, because the definition of family and family communication, and contents of family communication from vary from cultural groups which tend to narrow in their nature of communication (Maricionis , 1987). The reason may be the result of cultural difference, language, and style of child-communication, finance and managing home, psychosexual (sexuality) , and contents of family communication , family relationship

Show More
Related

  • Family Structure In Post-War Britian

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    Family used to be a single unit, consisting of a husband, wife and children. This unit was widely thought as a group based on marriage and biological parenthood as sharing a common residence and united by ties of affection, obligations, care, support, and a sense of common identity. However, due to the change in values, laws, family structure and social trends, the definition of family has been defined as a married or cohabiting couple with or without children living under one roof, children may be dependent or independent. (Office for national statistics) (2006)

    Read More

  • Sociology: Dramatic Changes To the American Family

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    A family is a group of people consisting of the parents and their children who live together and they are blood related. The family is always perceived as the basic social units whether they are living together in the same compound or at far distance but are closely related especially by blood. Therefore, the family unit has had a great influence on the growth and the character traits possessed by the children as they grow up and how they perceive the society they live in. the family also shapes the children to be able to relate well with other people that are not part of their family and with a good relationship it impacts to the peace achieved in country. This paper addresses the reasons as to why the family is considered the most important agent of socialization. It’s evident that families have changed over time and they have adopted different ways of living. This paper also tackles on the causes of the dramatic changes to the American family and what the changes are. Different people with different race, gender and preferences make the family unit and this makes the difference in marriages. This will also be discussed in this paper.

    Read More

  • Sociological Theories and the Family

    1721 Words  | 4 Pages

    The sociological definition of the family is “a set of people related by blood, marriage or some other agreed-upon relationship, or adoption, who share the primary responsibility for reproduction and caring for members of society” (Schaeffer, 2009, p. 288). While the nuclear family (a man, a woman, and their children) was once the primary definition of family, now it refers to many familial configurations. Single-parent families, blended families, same-sex couples, traditional nuclear families and single-parents who have adopted are just a few of the configurations that society in general now views as a family. A healthy family will provide a place of unconditional love, acceptance and support.

    Read More

  • Research Paper On Family Of Origin

    2120 Words  | 5 Pages

    Family members’ ability to effectively express their emotions, insights, and ideas to each other reflects how well members relate to each other, and how well the family functions as a whole. According to Kirst-Ashman & Hull (2012) assessing communication patterns within a family is crucial to the planned change process that must occur in order to assist families reconcile their problems in the best possible way (p.331). There are various facets of communication in addition to verbal and nonverbal communication. There are at least five different paths of communication, referred to as avenues of communication, which include: consonance, condemnation, submission, intellectualization, and indifference (p. 331-332). An assessment of the various facets of communication used by a family is useful in indicating where change is

    Read More

  • Family Communication Patterns Essay

    1651 Words  | 4 Pages

    The family communication pattern theory has two important types of communications. Conversation orientation, the first is to describe their characteristics. Family members are encouraged to participate in conversations about any topic. Families that are high on conversation, orientation believe that open and constant communication is necessary for a good and satisfying family life. They interact often, freely and deliberately without controlling the time spent together and the topics they discuss. Having a low conversation, orientation are families that view interpersonal communication not as important and unnecessary, they don’t interact with each other and limit topic

    Read More

  • Symbolic Interaction Theory

    977 Words  | 2 Pages

    The unique contributions of symbolic interaction theory to family studies are; families are social groups and individuals develop a concept of self along with their identities by involving in social interaction. One main premise of theory is that humans generally act on the basis of meaning they derive from interaction through communication. Second main premise is the meaning assigned to communication arises from social interaction. These meanings are subsequently modified through an interpretive process directly related with ...

    Read More

  • Principles And Values For A Successful Family By Ellen G. White

    1562 Words  | 4 Pages

    Every individual in society wants to feel that they matter and can make a difference even though often times they are taunted by negativity. They want to know their worth on earth and what will happen to them in the world to come. This book will help them to understand self and build on their self-esteem and character, whereby in the process teaching their children to do the same. Hence communication is the best policy. It will help them to build family activities so that each individual with feel that they matter because of just being involved with family members rather than just social interaction activities. In the home is where life begins, so it is an obligation to take the best actions to regain and maintain a successful

    Read More

  • Sociology of Family

    1149 Words  | 3 Pages

    "A family is a small social group of people related by ancestry or affection, who share common values and goals, who may live together in the same dwelling, and who may participate in the bearing and raising of children. They have a physical or emotional connection with each other that is ongoing" (Vissing, 2011) and is the foundation of all societies. They can be formed by a grouping of father-mother-children or even more complicated combination of relatives. In the primary stage of family life in the United States, everyone from every generation lived together in one house. Subsequently, the idea of traditional family evolved and a married couple with children is at present, often called the traditional family. There are many types of families; however, this paper will focus on the traditional family. It will describe how the functionalist perspective, conflict perspective, and the interactionism theory apply to the sociological institution known as a family. It will explain some of the similarities and differences between the sociological theories in regards to families and how they affect the family members.

    Read More

  • Family Essay: Defining A Family

    884 Words  | 2 Pages

    Family, a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. Although family is a concretely defined term, the idea of family varies from person to person. But, what makes a family? For those who are surrounded by loving blood relatives, for those who have never known the one to grant them life, for those who have left their blood behind for a more loving and nurturing environment, what can commonly define a family? Family is something defined by the individual. Family includes those who you have come to love, whether platonically or romantically, those you have suffered with, those you have come to respect, and most importantly those you have cared for and in turn have cared for you. To one that could mean people who

    Read More

  • Rivalry In Family

    1494 Words  | 3 Pages

    Family is the most precious section of each person’s life. Different cultures and different nationalities have various points of views for the importance of family in person’s life. I grew up in Armenia in Christian family, and I was always taught to appreciate and conceive my family and family members. Since I was a little child, my parents persuade my older sister, my brother, and me that family always comes first in every situation. Having a big family can be joyful and gainful, but at the same time it can be very challenging. Because if there are more people in the family, it means that you have to deal with people that have various personalities and points of views. If you want to have a big and happy family, you have to have a lot of siblings. If you have siblings it is mostly impossible to not have conflicts with them. Despite the age difference between siblings, they all at least at one point of their life have faced rivalry. “Sibling rivalry is so common that we would have to regard it as normal,” says Dr. Richard Wolfson, who is a psychologist and an expert on family relationships (2, 14:1). Conflicts between siblings can be really bad and disturbing. However, parents and family members can help siblings to solve and settle their problems. Parents interfere between siblings fighting can help or hash the process of solving it. By getting a correct and educated path from their parents, siblings can tighten their relationships and straighten the bonds between their brothers and sisters.

    Read More

  • Essay On Family Communication

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    The family communication pattern consists of two primary dimensions. They are family’s conversation orientation and the other being family’s conformity orientation. Conversation orientation refers to the degree to which family communication patterns are characterized by an open and unrestrained exchange of ideas. In contrast, conformity orientation refers to the degree to which family interactions are characterized by an emphasis on homogeneity of attitudes, values, and beliefs (Koerner & Fitzpatrick, 2002). All the families fall either in high or low combinations of these two orientations. Depending upon what the family falls, there are four types of patterns. They are- consensual, pluralistic, protective and

    Read More

  • English Communication Skills Essay

    1042 Words  | 3 Pages

    Since communication affects almost all aspect of our life, it is important to enhance the skills of communication. Difficulty in expressing or conveying your message may lead to your communication becoming unaffected. And, ineffective communication will lead to your message becoming confused and misunderstand. Thus, recognizing the barriers in communication is the first step in improving communication. There are many factors that cause the failure in communication such as language, gender, culture, and interpersonal barrier. However, it is clearly that the different culture has a different pattern in transferring message and has a strong influence in our communication skills. To avoid the barrier in culture, this paper will try to analyze the differences in culture between Asia and America that impact on the two ...

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Family

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    A family is a social foundation found in all societies. It unites people in supportive system as they care for one another. In many countries, including the U.S., families form around marriage and are seen as a legal relationship. Patterns of marriage and relationship vary around the world. There are four general marriage patterns around the world endogamy, exogamy, polygamy, and monogamy. Family support is a system involving two married individuals providing care and stability for their children. How the family support is in the household leave the impact on the children as they grow up. Present day how a family is formed has changed from traditional view now with single parents, divorced parent and gay marriage.

    Read More

  • Family Interview

    2063 Words  | 5 Pages

    The aspects of family communication that my paper is focusing on here is, our family identity, the rituals and values we have, and how we maintain our family relationship so well. I’m not sure what people will learn from the paper, but maybe they’ll learn that through good times and bad, family can help you through it all. Even though we have had our troubles in the past, it doesn’t mean we can’t move on from them and learn to better ourselves as

    Read More

  • The Family as an Agent of Socialization

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    Family is a fundamental social institution in society, the family, is considered the primary and most important agent of socialization. Family typically consists of a man and woman and their children or two or more people who usually reside in the same home and share same goals and values. Traditionally, in all societies, the family has always been seen as a social institution; that has the biggest impact on society.

    Read More

More about Characteristics Of Family Communication

Open Document