The relationship between family systems and healthy development are symbiotic: the interdependence between the two helps to define an individual’s self- identity and how one interacts within society. The family system is where all initial development begins in understanding how to maneuver through life. Children take their cues from the parents, who are their first instructors. “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9, King James Version). Children are a direct product of their environment; certain conditions must be met to produce a thriving, confident and self-reliant human being.
A healthy family system exists in authoritative surroundings where there are flexible rules. The rules are not created to be broken; rather to instill values such as trust, responsibility, respect and communication. This type of family system requires balance, where each member’s role is defined. If children respond negatively to a decision or question the rules, parents do not act as if it is an inconvenience. Questions are perceived as learning opportunities to discuss decisions; which promote confidence and problem solving skills. According to Vygotsky, children gradually grow intellectually and function independently because of help given to them by adults (Feldman, 2014).With assistance children learn to reproduce expected behavior during their exchanges with others. They are well adapted socially and emotionally sound and not afraid to voice an opinion.
There are three unhealthy systems that negatively impact healthy development because of imposed restrictions, intentional avoidance or rigidi...
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...cause children to react violently or aggressively based on what they have seen or have not learned.
The term development implies growth from less to more (Roehlkepartain, 2006, pg. 10). Healthy development is contingent upon healthy interpersonal relationships which also cultivate and shape spiritual development (Roehlkepartian, 2006). To avoid creating a dysfunctional family system, positive touches are needed that will reduce anxiety and internal conflict while increasing faith in self. Reciprocity becomes a part of a youth’s self-concept when culture, family, peers and spirituality influence emerging minds. This influence encourages a thought process that wants to help others, to empathize with others while practicing self-control; instead of one where individual’s learning is not maximized because of minimal or non-existent social exchanges with others.
The humanistic theory had much influence after the time of World War II toward the late 1950’s (Hansell & Damour, 2008). According to Dombeck, (2006), the humanistic approach was defined to be consciously reflective, allowing one to have the ability to experience self-determination. The humanistic approach combines philosophy, existentialism, and the hierarchy of needs that motivates every individual person on a unique level of growth potential; it worked to find the importance of life’s true meaning’s in an individual’s life for human characteristic (Dombeck, 2006). For obsessional-compulsion disorder, the goal of humanistic therapy is to create a suitable environment for the patient that will allow him or her to develop, mature, and evolve
Theories abound around how people develop emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. This essay will examine the theories of five leaders on the subject of development.
"When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.” – Erma Bombeck. Early childhood is the most rapid period of development in a human life. Although individual children develop at their own pace, all children progress through an identifiable sequence of physical, cognitive, and emotional growth and change. A child who is ready for school has a combination of positive characteristics: he or she is socially and emotionally healthy, confident and friendly; has good peer relationships; tackles challenging tasks and persists with them; has good language skills and communicates well; and listens to instructions and is attentive (World Bank 1). The interactive influences of genes and experience literally shape the architecture of the developing brain and the most important ingredient is the nature of a child’s engagement in the relationship with his or her parents (Bales 1). The parenting style of a mother or father has a strong and direct impact on the sequence of development through which the child progresses on the way to becoming a physically, mentally and emotionally healthy individual.
Since the 20th century, researchers have sought out solutions to help assist families and the individual components that make up family systems overcome the challenges and schisms that can inhibit individuation and stability. Two theoretical perspectives, the family-systems theory and the family-development theory, were conceived to gain as Balswick & Balswick (2014) noted, gain “a wide-angle view of family life” (p. 22). Though these two theories have merit, one I found to be more advantageous in gaining a better understanding of the family as an actively metastasizing organism, which needs to be approached more adaptively.
When looking at family systems, you must begin by looking at Murray Bowen’s family systems theory and “his views on the eight interlocking forces that shape family function,” (Haefner, 2014). Within Bowen’s family psychotherapy research, he noted that “family patterns and problems often repeat over generations, he also noted that families make up their own emotional systems, and within these systems they try to maintain stability and reduce conflict,” (Haefner, 2014). The eight interlocking forces noted by Bowen through (Haefner, 2014)
The family structure is made up of individuals living together in intimate groups with the purpose of caring and supporting each other. Rules and boundaries, spoken and unspoken, are developed by the family members. Family rules and boundaries change and shift over time in order to evolve and grow as a family unit. Some changes are subtle, but some events force major change within the family system. This paper applies the concepts of systems theory to the family system in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon (Melanie Smooter) and Josh Lucas (Jake Perry) star in this heart-warming film telling a story of a young woman who flees from Alabama to reinvent herself in New York City as a high fashion designer. She leaves behind her redneck husband and white-trash upbringing. Melanie finds herself engaged to the cities most eligible bachelor and has to return to Alabama to request a divorce from her first love and confront her past ("Alabama," 2002).
According to Richard Charles (2001) “the effectiveness of family systems theory rests not much on empirical research but on clinical reports of positive treatment outcomes, the personal benefits experienced by the families that underwent this kind of treatment, and the elegance of Bowen’s theory” (p. 279). Bowen’s family systems theory views the family as an emotional unit and is a theory of human behavior. Systems thinking are used to describe the complex interactions in the unit. However, the client’s ability to differentiate himself/herself from the family of origin is the basis for Bowen’s family systems theory. In addition, the primary focus for growth within the emotional system is differentiation of self. Differentiation of self will be explored as well as how it relates to a church congregation.
The actual first stage of the family life cycle is the family of origin experiences. During this phase the main task are building of a solid foundation, and maintaining relationships with parents, siblings, and peers. The family of origin is basically the family you grew up in, which is the center of what shapes who we are. A healthy family of origin exhibits a strong foundation that will be the center piece of that family unit. If effective the family will have a strong sense of togetherness, communication, separateness, and connectedness. This all helps the family to establish healthy boundaries between parents and their children, as well as resolve conflicts in a healthier and productive way. It is stated that when parents exhibit emotions like warmth and caring connections, it tends to promote individuality and
Families make us who we are. From our families we learn communication skills, emotions and how to form relationships. Murray Bowen developed the Bowen family systems theory. The Bowen family systems theory provides the opportunity to learn about complex family relationships and emotional relationships. The Bowen family systems theory can be integrated with religion and spirituality. Everyone can relate the Bowen family systems theory. I can integrate my personal experiences with concepts from the Bowen family systems theory.
Being a juvenile is the most influential period of human life, and family plays the most critical role in this stage. A family with a healthy atmosphere cultivate the socially acceptable norms within the children that help them to grow into responsible, respectable and moral beings in the end. In sharp contrast, a family that is subject to an unhealthy environment and does not provide en...
Children’s development in all aspects are influenced by genetic composition (Nature) and the environment in which they grow (Nurture). They are influenced by all adults in which they come into significant contact. Smiling at someone unfamiliar or speaking to a stranger is less likely to have a lasting impact on the child or their development. However, parents and immediate family have the most impact on a child’s development. A family is defined as at least one adult and one child who live together and in which the adult is control of the child’s life and behavior as well as demonstrates responsible care for the child (McDevitt & Ormand, 2013). Parents are the primary educators and caregivers,
Growing up in a healthy family, a child is encouraged to be more independent and are able to discover the world on their own, contributing to one’s uniqueness. In the article, How family impacts self esteem by S. Renee Smith, she states that “When parents appreciate their children and guide them toward their strengths, their children naturally develop healthy self-esteem and confidence.” Meaning that when a child is praised for their good actions, they will gain a good self esteem and will therefore keep on wanting to do these good deeds. Proving that with family, you will gain necessary traits that will help shape your
The meaning of family varies from place to place and from culture to culture. One all-encompassing definition that describes every type of family across the board does not exist. For instance, in places like China children can be raised apart from their father and mother in a group of women, but still count themselves a family. Alan C. Acock in his book Family Diversity and Well Being states that a married couple with no children is not considered a family (122), but some married couples may contest this theory. In fact, there are more variations on modern family structure than ever before, including non-traditional families where grandparents raise their grandchildren, adoptive families, foster families, and blended families with children from two or more sets of parents (“Power Tools”). Despite the challenges faced by many families today, I believe that the children of the current generation—known as Generation Y—can thrive as long as they receive nurture and enrichment from their family members. As a member of Generation Y myself, I speak from first-hand experience. In the following paragraphs, I will give an account of my own upbringing in Nepal that led to my current status as a college student in the USA. I will also briefly describe family structures in America, and compare them to Nepali family structure. In the end, I propose that nurture is the key to producing well-adjusted children today, regardless of family type or where the children are raised.
Family is the basic unit of society. A family is a set of interacting individuals related by blood, marriage, cohabitation, or adoption who interdependently perform relevant functions by fulfilling expected roles. Health practices are those activities performed by individuals or families as a whole to promote health and prevent diseases. The relationship between members of family influences the understanding of behavior, which is demonstrated in family’s structural, functional, communicational, and developmental patterns (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2003; Bonell et al., 2003).Within families, children and adults are nurtured and taught about health values by word and by example, and it is within families that members first learn to make choices to promote health (Edelman & Mandle, 2010, p. 172).
Everyone is born into some form of family, with the family taking the responsibility of nurturing, teaching the norms or accepted behaviors within the family structure and within society. There are many types of families, which can be described as a set of relationships including parents and children and can include anyone related by blood or adoption. Family is the most important, “for it is within the family that the child is first socialized to serve the needs of the society and not only its own needs” (Goode, 1982).