Family Practice: Summary

Family Practice: Summary

The American family today, has the same problems that the American

family of yesterday had. Daniel A. Sugarman, a psychologist in "Family Practice"

introduces us to several case studies that seem to be the main nucleus of family

problems today. He has put together a system called "Seven Ways to Keep the

Peace at Home," in which he describes seven different problems within our

American households today that can cause daily emotional and physical pain

within the family structure. The Seven case studies are based on children's

values that are driven by their parents emotions. "Giving up the myth of the

perfect Family," is the starting point. This is where the parents low self

esteem is driven into their child. The next step, "Tell it like you feel It,"

describes how families should share their feelings and not hold them in. After

that comes, "Don't play telephone", this is where a third person is used to

communicate between two parties. Another step is, "Make your blueprints

Flexible," you should not pre-plan your child's life for them. Then he goes into

the next step, which is about Contracts called, "Learn to use contracts." With

this step the family makes contracts with one another and then monitors and up

dates them so often. This helps with everybody holding to their end of the deal

when it comes to the family issues. One of the worst steps of all is, "Stop the

"Good Guy-"Bad Guy, " routine. I feel that having someone to blame for every

problem that arises can devastate a child. Parents need to think about what they

are going to say before they say it. The last step is, "Get rid of old emotional

Baggage," I have personal experience in this category. I had a hard time in

letting go of the old when trying to start new.

These seven steps that Dr. Sugarman has came up with are great ideas in

dealing with Family problems.