answer quetion
Marriage & Family F258
FAMILY
Family
WHAT IS A FAMILY?
How do you define family?
FAMILY
How do we study families?
Family Systems Theory
Conflict Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Symbolic Interaction Theory
Living Systems & Reductionism
Reductionism
Any organized entity is
composed of smaller parts
can be understood by reducing it to its smallest part.
Living systems are non-reductionistic.
Family systems are living systems.
Not to be reduced… to its single parts
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Reductionism—the parts of the elephant
Definitions of Systems
Definition 1:
“A whole is made up of interacting parts…
You can’t add these parts together to get the total system—
the system is more than the sum of its parts.”
Definition 2:
“A family system is a social and/or biological construction made up of a set of people related by blood or intention.”
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Family Systems Theory
The family systems theory is a theory introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen that suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another, but rather as a part of their family, as the family is an emotional unit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GK7LaT5rxY
Elements in System
Members interact in reciprocal relationships, responding to one another in the context of roles.
Interaction – the interplay between members
Reciprocity – both parties influence one another through their interactions
Roles – a character or function one plays
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Wholeness
To understand the family, it is necessary to look at it in its entirety – not just at one or some parts.
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Homeostasis
The tendency of a system to return to a state of equilibrium
This is counteracted by the need for change in a living system
(or the natural state of change in living system)
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Epigenesis
Whatever we do early in our lives and in our relationships has a significant impact on what happens later in our lives.
This is why your early experiences in your family have such an impact on you and why it’s difficult (but not impossible) to change long-standing patterns.
Can you think of an example?
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Equifinality & Equipotentiality
Equifinality -Many beginnings can lead to the same outcome.
Equipotentiality -- the same beginnings can result in different outcomes.
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Subsystems
Smaller units in the larger system sharing the characteristics of the larger system
Because of subsystems, you have multiple identities in the system
Examples?
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Alliances –
Weaker elements in a system join with stronger (or combine with other weak ones) to counter a stronger element.
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Conflict Theory
Inequity principle
Inequality in resource distribution creates conflict.
Resources are almost never equally distributed.
Struggle and synthesis principle
Families struggle with distribution of resources.
Families that are best able to distribute resources are best able to achieve synthesis (i.e., combine elements into a coherent whole)
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Social Exchange Theory/ Rational Choice
Self interest theories
People maximize self interest by making rational choices that maximize profit and minimize loss in interactions
Equality in relationships
When partners are more equal, more likely the relationship will be stronger and that goals of the relationship will be achieved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6RFvROskM8
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Symbolic Interaction Theory
Perception as reality
That which is perceived as real is real in its effects.
Role strain
This occurs when filling one role causes conflict with another role.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFQIIM8IRZU
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Healthy Families
What CHARACTERISTICS do we see in healthy families?
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Affirmation and support for each other
Family members are supportive of each other in the face of stress
Family members encourage each other in both stressful and non-stressful times
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A clear sense of membership in the family
Family members know who is in and who is out of the family
Family members also feel valued in that family membership
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Sharing of responsibilities (and flexibility in carrying out tasks)
Family members extend their responsibility beyond their own—they watch out for each other and help each other out.
If someone in the family needs help, others step in.
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A balance of interaction (sharing some information, respecting privacy in other ways)
Information is shared when needed and, when privacy (not secrecy) is desired, it’s respected
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Effective communication (of both thoughts and feelings). This includes listening, one of the toughest things to do.
This is crucial for maintaining relationships.
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Family rituals (especially critical are rituals of connection)
Families maintain connection through ritual
Family membership declared through ritual (I.e., who is in and who is out of the family)
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A clear understanding of rules, but flexibility in implementing them
Remember that most rules are hidden
Rule sets are coherent (I.e., consistent with each other)
Absence of double binds and inconsistent application of rules
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An overall positive outlook
Since you find what you’re looking for, if you look for positives, you ‘ll find them; if you look for negatives, you’ll find them, too.
Positive outlook increases likelihood of positive behavior being reinforced.
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Playfulness with one another (i.e., family leisure, recreation)
The family that plays together stays together
Gives you opportunities to “let communication happen” (e.g., son and dad at batting cage, talking about school, the dreaded “sex” talk)
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A sense of humor (affirming, not hurtful)
Humor, in and of itself, isn’t enough. It has to be affirming/gentle
Humor helps you get through tough times – reduces stress
Evidence that humor/laughter improves a person’s immune system
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A shared core of religious/ spiritual/ values/ beliefs
Essentially, this is a shared world view
Shared world view allows you to see and relate to things similarly
Does not need to be an organized religion
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Behavior that indicates knowing right from wrong along with efforts to do right and avoid wrong
It is not enough to know what is moral, but to act on that belief
Remember the saying “actions speak louder than words”
Remember correction is more valuable than punishment
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Valuing of service to the community (i.e. to others)
Make contributions by doing things like volunteering time or helping out (e.g., coaching youth sports, helping with blood drives, leading church choir, mentoring a child or community member, advocating for something)
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A broader sense of connection to the larger community and to the extended family
Connection extends beyond the immediate family to other relatives and friends in the community
This boils down to the idea that we are not isolated
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An absence of drugs and/or alcohol abuse and/or overuse
This includes over the counter drugs and prescription drugs
Remember that overuse or abuse of legal drugs may be an indicator of stress in the family rather than a cause of stress/ dysfunction
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An absence of the use of force, coercion or manipulation
This includes spanking – the use of force teaches force
Again, correction vs. punishment
Seeking win/win outcomes
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An ability to come together to cope effectively with a crisis
Don’t single out one person as “the problem” who has to solve her/his own problem
We all share a part in the problem if we aren’t all seeking solutions
Work together as a team to solve a problem
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A willingness to recognize that they may have problems that are bigger than they can handle and are willing to seek outside help
Just because they are healthy doesn’t mean they can deal with all problems
Healthy families recognize their limitations and seek outside resources when needed
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Family obligations
Unconditional view
Conditional view
Friendship view
Which do you agree?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7cOwQQDI7o
Family Beliefs and Ideologies
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Family Ideology
A set of beliefs, standards, and values that are shared by all family members
Also called a family paradigm (Reiss defined it as a set of beliefs shared by all family members – not individual)
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Development of Family Beliefs
Develop in the Broader Social and Cultural Context
Are influenced by the broader social and cultural context
Influence how we interpret the beliefs of the broader social and cultural context
What does this mean?
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Character of Family Beliefs
They are Seen as "Truth" by Members i.e., “It’s just that way it is.”
Socialization of young children
Exposure from birth
Because they are learned at such an early age, we may not question them or struggle with them, if we see our beliefs becoming inconsistent with them.
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Forming “Family” Ideology
Formative period
Borrowed or invented
Drawn by “new family” members from their earlier family beliefs (as simple as coffee brand)
Created to fit new situations when old beliefs don’t fit
Family rituals will have meaning for this
(later in the semester)
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Configurations of Beliefs in Families
Shared beliefs in families
These are beliefs that are held in common by family members
Individual beliefs of family members
These are held by individual family members,
Family members may or may not know about each other’s individual beliefs
Assumptions of beliefs as “shared”
We may think that beliefs are shared, but, in fact, this may be inaccurate
Learning beliefs that were believed to be shared are not shared can be very stressful
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Important Concept Regarding Levels of Abstraction in Family Ideology
Text presents three levels of abstraction
1st , 2nd order change, deeper ideological schemata
Important to remember that, for each level of beliefs, there likely are deeper, more abstract beliefs that influence the more basic, concrete level
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Insider’s Perspective
Insider's Perspective on Family (and how one's actions relate to that family)
The view of family that we develop by living in a family
Helps us to “do” family, but also makes it hard to see other types of families as acceptable
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Types of Family Paradigms
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Closed family paradigm
Fundamental beliefs emphasize continuity, steadiness, and conventional ways of thinking
Clear boundaries
Emphasis on predictability and stability
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Open family paradigm
Fundamental beliefs emphasize dialogue, communication, patience, and a willingness to change
Negotiation and collaboration
Sharing of ideas, democracy, consensus
Flexibility
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Random family paradigm
Fundamental beliefs emphasize discontinuity, change, and a radical focus on the present
Novelty, creativity, individuality
Rigidly emphasize individuality, lack of restraint and high levels of freedom
Appear to be “rule free”
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Synchronous family paradigm
Fundamental beliefs emphasize harmony, tranquility, mutual identification
Decisions based on a non-intellectual sense of unity
Try to act in harmonious agreement
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What Are Family Rituals?
Family rituals are built around common symbols and symbolic actions. They are familiar to family members and this familiarity provides an emotional anchor. They provide a sense of safety and acceptance to members -- (Imber -Black & Roberts)
Differ from rituals that revolve church activity
Differ from traditions that generally occur consistently across generations
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What do Rituals look like?
Rituals are composed of metaphors, symbols and actions that are “packaged” in a highly condensed dramatic form to establish and maintain family identity
Rituals are time-bound and space-bound, and provide a sense of psychological safety and membership in a group for participants.
Barnharts’ Family Christmas Eve Ritual
Gather around the tree just before bed-time
Each of the older siblings finds the package under the tree from Paternal Grandparents for the younger siblings
Younger siblings open their gifts and then find the older sibling gift to hand them
Everyone puts on their new pajamas and gathers for a picture to send off to their paternal grandparents
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Similarities between rituals & routines (Big R little r)
Rituals and routines may be similar in appearance
Involve more than one family member,
Involve overt behavior,
Repetition of form and content,
Continuity and change may be seen in both
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Differences between ritual & routines
Differ in amount of emotion involved
Differ in amount of symbolism
Behavior in rituals is relatively unique, unusual and extraordinary
Rituals involve unique staging: preparation, enactment, and return to normal
Little rituals might be as simple as parents reading to small children before tucking them in for the night, or hugs and kisses before going out for the day
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Sequence/staging of Rituals
Preparation
Enactment
Return to normal
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Typology of Rituals (Imber-Black, Roberts & Whiting, 1989)
Under-ritualized
family neither celebrates or marks family changes nor join much in larger societal rituals
Rigidly ritualized
very prescribed behaviors, rituals tend to stay the same over time rather than evolving
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Typology of Rituals (2)
Skewed ritualization
one side or aspect of family is emphasized over others
Hollow ritual as event, not process
Rituals observed out of obligation, with little real meaning
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Typology of Rituals (3)
Ritual process interrupted or unable to be openly experienced
At time of sudden change or traumatic events, the family is unable to fully experience the whole ritual process.
Flexibility to adapt rituals
The ability to change rituals to better meet the needs/desires of family members.
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Ritual Themes (Imber-Black & Roberts)
Individual rituals can fit one, some, or all of these themes
Membership
Ability to participate in ritual indicates that one is a member of the group
E.g., Being able to participate in family photo after you are married to your partner, but not before
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Ritual Themes (2)
Identity
Your role in the ritual indicates your identity or a change in identity in the family
E.g., wedding ceremony
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Ritual Themes (3)
Belief Expression and Negotiation
Ritual may involve symbolic expression of beliefs
E.g., At Thanksgiving, going around table and allowing everyone to go around and express thanks for being a member of the family; children’s prayers at bedtime
Family is safe place to express and negotiate differences in beliefs
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Ritual Themes (4)
Celebration
Family members come together to celebrate some aspect of the life of one or more members or of the family in general
E.g., Mom and Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary; birthdays
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Ritual Themes (5)
Healing
Intended to produce personal and relational healing
Remembering and honoring the dead
Communal coming together to provide support and care for each other
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Rules
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Social Norms
Cultural beliefs that
prescribe (order or direct) certain behaviors
and proscribe (prohibit) others.
Group norms of acceptable behavior
Include
Laws
Mores (Ideals)
Folkways (Behaviors)
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How Rules Emerge in Families
Imported from family of origin
(earlier family experiences)
Created to meet “novel situation” of your
new family form
Influenced by media & other social systems
Because family is a social system,
Rules are created through
Negotiation
Collaboration
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Purpose of rules
Provide system accountability
Provide boundary maintenance
External
Internal
Maintain regularity in system
Patterns of relative predictability
Reinforce family beliefs/ideology
Reinforce family paradigm
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Family Rules
Act as guidelines for behavior
Develop interactively with family
Beliefs
Ideology
Begin at birth
Develop through process of socialization
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Redundancies
Rules are known through redundancies,
Repetitive patterns
Of family interactions
That reinforce the rules
What are examples of redundancies?
Are all rules purposeful/ useful to the continuing existence of the family?
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Explicit (Overt or Known)
Visible, stated clearly
10% of all family rules
Have been discovered and/or talked about
More formalized
The forms of rules we tend to list when first asked to identify rules
Usually stand unless specifically changed
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Implicit (Covert or Unknown)
Tied to more abstract thinking
90% of all family rules
Hidden from view
Being hidden makes them powerful
Accepted as “how things are”
– basic structure of the family belief system
Creates more misinterpretation
Often assumed that family members
understand and
go by the rules
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Examples of Rules
Beliefs and Opinions about:
Bedtime
Hurting each other/Verbally or Physically
Children/Adults using alcohol and other drugs
Smoking cigarettes
Telling lies/Tattling
Dating/Curfew
Sex
Breaking promises
Privacy
Respect
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Rules & Expectations
What are some important stated rules in your family?
What are some important but unstated rules in your family?
What are some key expectations your family has for you?
What are the consequences of not following family rules or meeting the expectations?
What might happen short-term or long-run?
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Other Examples of “Rules”
Emotion expression
Anger
Affection
Family Secret
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Stress and the Family
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Stress and the Family
Family Stress and Resiliency
ABC-X Model of family stress
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ABC-X Model of Family Crisis
A- stressor event
Interacting with
B- family’s ability to cope with a crisis
Interacting with
C- family’s appraisal of the stressor event
Produces
X- The stressor
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Factors in Defining a Stressful Event
Nature of the stressor
The degree of hardship or the kind of problems the stressor creates
The families previous successful experience in the event crises
childhood legacies of adult Family members
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Meeting Crisis Creatively
A positive outlook
Spiritual values and support groups
Open, supportive communication
Adaptability
Informal social support
An extended family
Community resources
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Stress and the Family
Types of stressor events
Strategies for dealing with stress
Top 5 family stressors or crisis *HealthStatus
Death of a loved one
Divorce
Moving
Major illness
Job loss
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FAMILIES IN CRISIS
VIOLENCE
ABUSE
NEGLECT
POVERTY
DIVORCE
ADDICTION
ABUSE AND NEGLECT
TYPES
NEGLECT
SELF-NEGLECT
PHYSICAL ABUSE
PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE
SEXUAL ABUSE
FINANCIAL/MATERIAL ABUSE/EXPLOITATION
POVERTY
Statistics
The number of families falling into poverty has seen an upward trend in the last several years.
Poverty has long-term negative impacts for children and families, and disproportionately affects children of color.
Family poverty is associated with increased child welfare involvement, housing instability, food insecurity, and chronic illness.
Extreme poverty in childhood is associated with toxic stress, which negatively impacts early brain development and may lead to long-term consequences for learning, behavior, and both physical and mental health. Poor children are often less ready for kindergarten and face academic hardships in school; they are also less likely to complete high school and pursue post-secondary education.
divorce
Effects of Divorce on Men and Women
Effects on Family
addiction
Statistics
Effects on Family
Family Roles in Addiction
Extended Family