Communication

A way to enhance discussion about family life is to identify the ways that families achieve each of the internal functions. Besides the basic necessities such as shelter, water, warmth, and care; families may also provide internal and external functions such as socialization, intellectual development, recreation, accommodation, transmission, and emotional support. There are positive and negative communication patterns associated with each function, which will be further discussed.

Providing care is the basic internal function and a base for the definition of family according to the United States Government. Providing care can be achieved by providing food, shelter, clothing, and caretaking. Providing care does not require communication and cannot be positively or negatively affected by communication.

Socialization is also an internal function that can be achieved through communication both verbally and non-verbally. Socialization is achieved by passing on your stereotypes such as defining what is wrong or right, defining male and female roles by role modeling or designated toys, and what behavior is appropriate and not appropriate. A positive communication pattern associated with defining socialization is sitting down and explaining to a child why certain behavior is appropriate and other behavior is inappropriate. A negative communication pattern could be telling your children that a certain behavior is unacceptable and then you perform that behavior in front of them.

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