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Family Analysis
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor
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Family Analysis
Modern Family is a vital TV show that aired in 2009. the show features the Dunphy
Family comprised of two parents, Claire and Phil Dunphy, who live in their family residence as a
married couple. The family consists of three children Haley, Luke and Alexandra Dunphy. In
season 1, the TV show premiers with Haley as the typical adolescent, approximately 16 years
old, and Alex, approximately 12 years old, as the middle child; at the same time, Luke, age 10, is
the family’s only son and last sibling.
Parenting Styles
Laursen & Collins (2009) indicate that authoritative parenting is an effective parenting
style since it focuses on including the child’s needs in the parenting actions and attitudes. While
this parenting focuses on prioritizing the child’s needs, it also enforces age-appropriate demands
to foster maturity. This parenting style was evident in season 1, episode 18, where Haley had to
complete a due school project. The parents employ rival parenting styles to achieve optimal
outcomes for the children. While Phil preferred to employ permissive parenting as the right
approach to foster project completion, Claire’s authoritative parenting achieved the desired
outcomes.
Positive Interaction and Support
According to Laursen & Collins (2009), closeness, support, and positive interactions are
vital aspects that affect the relationships of family members. Evidence from the TV show
indicates closeness between Claire and Haley. In season 1, episode 4, Haley opens up to Claire
about her boyfriend, Dylan. The closeness due to the mother-daughter bond reinforces the
relationship. Positive interaction and support are evident when after Claire listens to Haley’s plea
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about the concert, she offers support and urges Phil to extend his support. Adjusting interaction
patterns to reconcile with adolescent autonomy enhances positive interaction and confers support
(Laursen & Collins, 2009).
Negative Interactions and Conflicts
Despite the positive interactions, the Dunphy family exhibits their fair share of conflicts.
Mundane topics fuel most disagreements and negative interactions between parents and
adolescents (Laursen & Collins, 2009). A typical occurrence that caused negative interactions
between Haley and Phil occurred in season 2, episode 9, where Phil develops a strong
relationship with Haley’s boyfriend Dylan only to find out that Haley broke up with him. in this
view, the conflict or negative interaction stemmed from Haley’s limited submission to her
father’s will. Laursen & Collins (2009) reveal that the frequency of submission among teenagers
declines as adolescence progresses, accounting for the adolescent’s less compliance with
compromise.
Adolescent Outcomes
Parenting styles influence the quality of parent-adolescent relationships and motivate
positive adolescent outcomes (Laursen & Collins, 2009). Drawing from the engagement of an
authoritative parenting style, positive interactions, and conflict resolution, expected outcomes
include the development of autonomy in various life aspects. Furthermore, Phil and Claire’s
parenting will foster responsible adolescent behavior involving a calm disposition and rational
approach to challenges.
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Biblical Integration
The New King James Version provides important scriptures such as 1 Timothy 5:8,
which urges parents to support their family to attain actual believer status. Another vital scripture
is in Ephesians 6:1, which promotes family relationships and positive interactions while limiting
conflicts. It guides teenagers by urging them to respect their parents.
