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The effects of family dynamics
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Dysfunctional Family Relationship Teresa Allen Western International University Human Relations and Inter Communication BEH-331-3279 Mollie Surgine December 18, 2017 Dysfunctional Family Relationship Every interpersonal relationship has its setbacks and imbalances, whether they are based on friendship, intimacy or family relationships. Family is the broader constellation that includes children, relatives and assorted significant others (DeVito, 2014). When a relationship is out of proper dynamics it becomes a dysfunctional unit. In a family structure there are a variety of dysfunctions or factors that can cause a break down in the dynamics of the family. In many family settings, members try to get along as a functioning unit which may refer to a high conformity family. In contrast families with conflict are in the category of low conformity and are likely to be much less harmonious than the high conformity family (DeVito, 2014). An explanation for a family or interpersonal relationships becoming dysfunctional depends on many factors. Dysfunctional Whether it is one or both they may be plagued with an addiction or some type of compulsion to control, or heavily dependent on both drugs and alcohol. Other factors include working all hours, gambling and not spending quality time with family. Needless to say this type of family dysfunction becomes a norm when parents and siblings systematically foster abuse and neglect. Because this family type is at a low conforming level, members may express high divergent beliefs, attitudes and values in which in the latter, will engage in conflict. Communication is essential for a family to support one another and repair damage when troubles come. Without quality and heart felt communication a family or relationship will deplete it
According to Murray Bowen’s family systems theory, the family subsists in a system where as the individuals are inseparable from their network of relationships, but continue to strive to be individualized. Consequently, various forms of these networks are grounded in the domestic structure and the “normal” or “ideal” family and development derives from the interaction of the family members when they remain differentiated, unease is minimal, and partners have beneficial emotional communication with their own family members (Nichols, 2014). The concept of achieving individuality while remaining in a cohesive family unit may cause stress. Concepts such as differentiation of self, triangulation, emotional cutoff, and anxious attachment may aid in the elucidation of the family system. This theoretical concept along with these coinciding terms will be explored through one episode of the television series The Goldbergs called Rush.
According to smith and Hamon (2012), Families are considered as a whole in society. However, they believed that couples have many components in which makes up the family, if one component is missing, the family as a whole can get unbalance (Smith & Hamon, 2012). In the Brice’s family, communication was the component that was missing. The couple was not able to communicate their differences, which was what caused Carolyn and David to verbally insult each other. Smith and Hamon (2012), also explain that a person who expresses his or her feeling is considered as someone who is breaking the functions of their family system; especially if the person is focusing on the individual who is causing the problem, rather than the problem itself. In the Brice family, Carolyn could be considered the one that cause the dysfunction in the family structure because she was focusing on David as the problem of their marriage, rather than focusing of the elements that are causing their problems. Smith and Hamon (2012) explain that individuals should focus on how to solve a problem, rather than trying to find who is causing the
Structured Family Therapy (SFT) refers the mere undesignated rules that structure how a family interacts with one another (Walsh, 2010). The family unit is composed of systems or parts, and the parts must be unified to compile a whole unit to create homeostasis (Broderick, 1993). SFT therapy is warranted when dysfunction enters the family unit, and creates a deficiency of adaption by the individual which disrupts the family structure (Boyle, 2000). The family structure is composed of major components such as: subsystems, executive authority, boundaries, rules, roles, alliances, triangles, flexibility, and communication (Walsh,
The family and its individual members’ wellbeing depends on the degree to which the family is able to fulfill its functions. Friedman, Bowden, and Jones (2003) divides family functions into affective, socialization, reproductive, economic, and health care functions. The affective function is a vital function of the family and it is consistent with providing emotional nurturing, understanding, helping, communicating, and acceptance within the family (McCreary & Dancy, 2004, p. 695). Based on the presented scenario which describes the multiple layers of problems the Davis family experiences, it is evident that the family is not meeting the affective function. Shakeeka and her second husband Ben live in different states and contact between them
Introduction According to Bowen’s (2013) family systems theory, individuals in a family unit are all interconnected and the system is comprised of interlocking connections (Bowen, 2013). Consequently, whenever an individual in a family system is experiencing a stressor or problem the other individuals in the system will be affected by the stressor and will experience a change in the family system (Bowen, 2013). Bowen (2013) suggests that this family system can be used to understand the dynamics of the family unit and explains that an individual’s behavior has a specific function in his or her own family system (Bowen, 2013). By taking into consideration this theory when looking at a family struggling with an incarcerated parent, it is evident that the spouse, children, and grandparents of the family system will be impacted by the incarcerated individual’s situation.
Fitzpatrick and Ritchie (cited in Schrodt 2009) analyzed family communication patterns and proposed a 3 dimensional family communication environment instrument (FCEI) to identify what holds the family together and strong. In the test, they found that 'family expressiveness','structural traditionalism' and 'conflict avoidance' constitute those 3 dimensions and that each dimension co-influences one another. The research also specifically stressed out children from the families sharing similar family communication schemes tend to expect to share the same strengths with their future family. For many years, a series of analysis about family strengths grew into a trend, called the 'family strengths framework' and it became widely used in the health care area, mainly focusing on problem-solving and detecting success of a family and their resilience (MacAllister, cited in Smith & Ford 2013). DeFrain and Stinnett (cited in Schrodt 2009) asserted that every family has its own strengths and those strengths can be categorized, mostly sharing the similar qualities as the previous studies had confirmed.
In the book Stones by William Bell it is tells a story on prejudice, the supernatural, history, it’s continuous cycle of racism, and labelling. One of the most underlying themes in the novel is Parent-Youth Relationships. Majority of the book touches base on the two main characters; Garnet Havelock and Raphella Skye’s dysfunction within both their families, the main relationships are Garnet & his Mom, Garnet & his Dad, and Raphella and her Mom. The relationship between Garnet and his Mom is offbeat because they are neither close and neither distant from each other, they have each other best interest but aren’t best friends. Garnet and
There are so many dysfunctional cycles that are continuous throughout generations within families. Some are worse than others but just as detrimental. Family members should recognize the repetitious cycle that may cause damaging consequences. There are positive traits like love, compassion, courage, leadership and genetic skills. These traits produce people who are driven to succeed and may become leaders of our future as an inspiration to others. The negative traits may consist of drugs, alcohol, mental disorders, teen pregnancy, gambling, gluttony, and even shopping which can result in financial burdens, greed, anger, complacency and fear. The way to break dysfunctional generational cycles in families is to confront the source of negativity.
How does someone overcome the traumatic experiences they suffered with in their childhood? “Nobody had a perfect childhood, not even the kid down the street whose family seemed to have it all together. We all grew up with some sort of dysfunction, and we’re all who we are today because of it,” an excerpt from the article “The New Normal – Healing from a Dysfunctional Family.” A person’s dysfunctional childhood could sprout from neglect, abuse, loss, or psychological aspects that they have no control over but, every bad encounter can be overcome by the strongest people. “Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world,”( Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith, and Jeanne Segal). The three steps to overcome is understanding, coping, and healing (Dania Vanessa). Each of
Many families in the United States are separated or divorced. My family is a part of the divorce statistics. My mother and father divorced in 2001. I was four years old and my brother was two. My brother and I have to deal with the packing and the repacking of the bags every week. There was plenty of personal and social reasons behind the divorce. Some personal reasons were lack of commitment, too much arguing, marrying too young, and having kids at a young age. My parents got married at the age of 18. My mother had me at the age of 19, and she had my brother at the age of 21. That put a strain on their marriage, and that caused my parents to argue all the time. My father also worked all the time to support us. He was the only one with a job
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
When looking at family systems, you must begin by looking at Murray Bowen’s family systems theory and “his views on the eight interlocking forces that shape family function,” (Haefner, 2014). Within Bowen’s family psychotherapy research, he noted that “family patterns and problems often repeat over generations, he also noted that families make up their own emotional systems, and within these systems they try to maintain stability and reduce conflict,” (Haefner, 2014). The eight interlocking forces noted by Bowen through (Haefner, 2014)
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that is taken place.” (George Bernard Shaw). People thin that communication is the most important part of any relationship but that is not always the case. Just because a family does not talk to each other every day does not mean they do not love or cared for each other any less. When people think of family they have this idea of everyone living in the same house having every meal together.
A general overview of the rules and family health lecture is based on family communication that focuses on health related topics. For example, talking to kids about sex and alcohol abuse, responsibilities of taking care of an aging member of the family, social support, and briefly mentions how people grieve differently after a family member passes away. During the class lecture I have chosen three concepts/ideas I consider important to help discuss the CPM theory. The first idea that I have chosen is the Life Span Perspective, which focuses on how we adapt our communication behaviors based on the changes that family’s experience throughout the lifespan (Turner & West, 2006). For example, when a child
Families provide people with an atmosphere in which to live, grow, and develop. A family culture is established by the parents and instilled in the children during their upbringing. A healthy family is a family which follows a set of strong morals, stays loyal to one another, cooperates, and works together to avoid conflict. An environment where there is openness amongst family members is ideal because minds that are open are more susceptible to avoiding conflict than minds that are closed. If conflict gets the best of a family, it has the potential to increase hostility and create remoteness between family members, however, if a family resolves conflict, it can strengthen and enforce the family relationships.