CONCEPT PARAGRAPH AND OUTLINE 2
Concept Paragraph
This paper will discuss my views and understanding of the development of the family. As
we know change is inevitable and as society changes so will our lives and the things or people
surrounding them. We will investigate the family structure and development from past views of
what was the norm or traditional and today’s views and changes. As we look into the dynamics
and structure of the family as of now, you cannot deny the changes that are so vivid in society
and the acceptance of the secular world versus the Christian stance. We will examine the areas of
marriage and family development, religion and spirituality in family development, sexuality, and
family development, parenting and family development, later life, and the overall preferred
theory of family therapy. Each area of study will show the vast changes of today and those areas
that are still important from past generations.
Introduction
Understanding the definition of family is essential to understanding the development of
the family. We must recognize that in this day and time the traditional look of the family is not
what we will see in the world today. Family is what and who you believe them to be, whether it
be blood members or family members outside of our bloodline. Defining family not only names
reality; it also shapes reality. If we believe a family relationship exists, then it does. The
definition of family communicates what is considered “normal” and “right” (Carter et al., 2016).
Marriage and Family Development
Marriage is the foundation on which the family was structured. It is two individuals who
bring their lives and families together as a unit to love support and balance the family. When we
think about marriage and the family development stage we think of a mom, dad, children, and
extended family members. Marriage for women in earlier times meant you took care of the
CONCEPT PARAGRAPH AND OUTLINE
husband, household duties, children, and any elderly family members, and the men were the
breadwinners, the protector, and giving instruction for the household. Marriage and the
traditional family roles have of course changed greatly over time. In the past, the only legal and
accepted marriage was between a male and female, but as we see now times have changed and
marriage can be between the same sex and still be viewed as family.
Family members have many more choices than they did in the past (McGoldrick et al,
2016). Couples can say who they will and will not marry or if they will live together be for
marriage. Because of all the choices, we have today families can choose to stay close to an
extended family or move abroad. They can also dictate the number of children to have, or when
and if they will decide to bring children into the world. They can put a stamp on how they want
to define their relationship, allocating who can be a part of the family and what role they will
play as a member of the family.
Religion and Spirituality in Family Development
Religion is an important part of the family dynamic. It is a process that aids us in
evolving and developing as an individual and as a family. As families develop and learn to bond
with one another in spirituality it helps create a sense of family unity that is passed from the
older generation to the younger generation. Parents can effectively teach spiritual education to
their children, giving them an understanding of what is acceptable or unacceptable. “Moral
values are based on underlying beliefs concerning right and wrong” (Balswick, 2014).
The male or husband was the leader and set the course of the religious beliefs for the family.
Women were to be supportive of the beliefs and assisting in the children maintaining the views
and beliefs of the family. According to Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) “Train up a child in the way he
should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. Training and educating the family with
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spiritual understanding allows the family to grow in their beliefs. Religion and spirituality offer
healing and ways of support and coping to families. The connections between religion and health
outcomes have included benefits for self-esteem, social support, overall well-being, meaning and
purpose in life, sense of community, as well as coping with adversity (Muruthi, 2020).
Sexuality and Family Development
Sexuality is important to the family and individual well-being. Today verses the
knowledge of our older generation is more open to discuss and enlighten us as to what we should
know and understand as it pertains to sexuality. Earlier generations lack knowledge or restricted
what was express or given on a need-to-know basis. There is a significant concern for the current
generations to know and understand sexuality to decrease the feeling of dysfunction or shame
because of what they feel or desire.
Parenting and Family Development
Becoming a parenting changes everything. You are now responsible for taking care of a
child physically, mentally, and spiritually. You must love, teach, protect, and provide for them
while trying to figure out how much do you share from your past generation and what do you
teach them of today’s views of the family. Becoming a parent is one of the most definitive
transitions in life, a crossing of the Rubicon. Life will never be the same (McGoldrick et al,
2016). Setting boundaries can assist with parenting as well. It assists in the children understand
space and timing and not manipulate space when it is not wanted.
Later Life
Family in later life are needed to assist the younger generation being knowledgeable of
their earlier family’s tradition, value, and teachings. They help us to bridge the gap between
generations and help to understand the changes life challenges faced today. Later life generation
CONCEPT PARAGRAPH AND OUTLINE
and younger or mid-life generation living together can pose many challenges because of the
generational gap and not following the expectancy to the traditions or values of the elders.
Problems can also be faced when or if illness or the loss of a loved one happens and cause
overwhelming challenges within the family.
Preferred Theory of Family Therapy
Family therapy comes in many forms. One family’s therapy may not be what is needed
for your family. When entering therapy be able to share some of your needs and expectations of
therapy so that it helps decrease assumptions of what your family needs from therapy. When a
family seeks therapy, it is due to a certain problematic behavior that is being maintained in some
way by its consequences (Yarhouse & Sells, 2017). A therapist has the important role of assisting
the family in learning different skills and concepts that will help the family in communicating
and problem-solving.
Conclusion
The family will all face obstacles, and growth and change will always happen, but love,
trust, support, and communication will create understanding and healing for the family. God
gives us the ability to love others as he has loved us, whether it be family, extended family,
adopted, foster, kinship. Your village may not look like others but it what makes your family
yours.
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References
American Psychological Association (2021), Marriage and Divorce, Retrieved from:
https://www.apa.org/topics/divorce-child-custody
Balswick, J. O., & Balswick, J. K. (2014). The family: A Christian perspective on the
contemporary home, (4th ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Carter & McGoldrick. (2016). The expanded family life cycle: Individual, family, and social
perspectives, (5th ed.). Columbus, OH: Allyn and Bacon.
Krok, D. (2016). Examining the role of religion in a family setting: Religious attitudes and
quality of life among parents and their adolescent children. Journal of Family Studies, 24(3),
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Garland, D. (2012). Family ministry: A comprehensive guide, (2nd ed.). Downers Grove, IL: IVP
Academic.
Kostenberger, A. J. (2010). God, marriage, and family: Rebuilding the biblical foundation, (2nd
ed.). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
Muruthi, B. A., Young, S. S., Chou, J., Janes, E., & Ibrahim, M. (2020). “We Pray as a Family”:
The Role of Religion for Resettled Karen Refugees. Journal of Family Issues, 41(10), 1723–
1741. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X20911068
Pew Research Center, (12/17/2015), The American Family Today, Retrieved from:
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2015/12/17/1-the-american-family-today/
