SOCW 6060

Running head: SYSTEMS THEORY 1

SYSTEMS THEORY 4

Systems Theory: Tiffani’s Case

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Systems Theory: Tiffani’s Case

Systems theory emphasizes on pattern recognition instead of deductive reasoning and explains individual behavior within the context of larger systems including family, marriage and community. Several aspects of the community, marriage and family systems theory apply to Tiffani’s case. According to Dr. Bowen’s theory, when an individual feels he or she is disconnected from family members, the family has an impact on the person’s emotions (Family systems theory definition & what is it? 2018). This is seen when Tiffani had separated from her family two years ago but her emotions are affected by feelings of missing her mother and sister. Besides, the family projection process in the systems theory describes the way parents may transmit their emotional problems to their children as seen in the case of Tiffani’s parents, whose behaviors affect her life.

In the family, there is sibling position where, in most cases, the older siblings lead the younger ones and protect them, an idea demonstrated by Tiffani who decides to do the prostitution herself in order to protect her sister who the pimp threatened to take to be a prostitute too (Turner, 2017). Moreover, even outside the family, other societal factors may influence the family, especially if the parents are less differentiated and children can get away so that they feel safer outside the family, such as Tiffani feeling safe with Donald when no family members are available for her.

According to Brofennerbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, there are different system levels. For example, in the case of Tiffani’s case, particularly in the community system, she is affected by the micro, meso, exo, and chrono systems. Besides, in the microsystem, her uncle molests Tiffani, which is within the family (Leonard, 2011). In the mesosystem, her family’s behavior, particularly her mother and father, engage in alcohol and cigarette smoking; hence it affects her development especially in other areas such as school. In the case of exosystem, it occurs that Tiffani runs away from her home because her uncle makes an effort to molest her, hence she is afraid that he might rape her. In the chronosystem, Tiffani attended school when at her home, but after running away, she becomes a school leaver, stays, and sleeps with other men.

References

Family systems theory definition & what is it? (2018, June 13). ReGain - Relationship Counseling. https://www.regain.us/advice/family/family-systems-theory-definition-what-is-it/

Leonard, J. (2011). Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory to understand community partnerships: A historical case study of one urban high school. Urban Education, 46(5), 987-1010.

Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches. Oxford University Press.