to the observations. Ideally, the social worker suggests alternative patterns of communication, describes interactions, and discusses the factors that reinforce the problem. During a discussion about these observations, the social worker may use reframing so that the family can understand their interactions in a different way. They may also use circular questioning. This method may help the family address the presenting problem and accomplish the goal because it is an opportunity to discuss a common interaction that they have not been able to resolve on their own. An observer with an objective opinion can provide insight, whereas reframing and circular questions can get the family to think differently about their roles, boundaries, and …show more content…
As graphically represented in my genogram (see Appendix), my father 's side of the family is extensive with many members. My paternal grandfather, John was a White male with Irish ancestry who identified as Catholic. My paternal grandmother, Irene is a White female, a Polish immigrant, and also identifies as Catholic. She lived in Labour Camps during World War II and escaped to Canada with her siblings. While a young child named Stephen died as a baby, my grandparents raised their surviving 8 children with strong Catholic family …show more content…
In my family, the current family dynamics are influenced by events that occurred so long ago that many younger family members are disconnected from and have no knowledge about. It demonstrates that a family can experience tension and conflict regularly, yet every member may not understand the reasons. Furthermore, beliefs and unresolved emotional conflict can affect generations of families. This complexity of family conflict emphasizes that interventions sometimes require exploring the past, revisiting conflict, and discussing difficult
Also, the family members need to be able to express their feelings without attacking each other and causing drama. “Epstein and Baucon describes helping clients learn to set clear, behavioral goals without attacking other families members’ ideas, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed solution, and then selecting a solution that appears to be feasible and agreeable to all” (p. 201). For example, Mary’s learn to express their concern with what Gladys is doing with her life. Also, Gladys takes into consideration the opinions of her parents and come to an agreement that will be effective for both
I believe the next intervention would be to use Normal Family Development. Bowen believed that normal family development occurs when the family members are differentiated, feel little anxiety, and remain a rewarding and healthy emotional contact with each member of the family (Gehart, 2015). In Normal Family Development the family members, are connected across the generations, have little emotional fusion and distance, people would support family members who have different emotions and feelings and can support differentiation, have family members who can use one another for feedback
Structural Family Therapy offers a framework that provides order and meaning within the family connections (Nichols, 2013). Divorce for a family is considered a significant transition for all parties involved. When counseling a family going through divorce the structural family therapist’s job is to build an alliance with the family and obtain information about the structure. The structure of the family consists of the roles, interactions, organization, and hierarchy. Family therapy yields the belief that changing the organization of the family leads to change in the individual members. The structural family therapist often will try to become part of the family to gain a perspective of their issues as whole so not to place the focus on one individual. Joining is an empathetic approach in helping families explain and break down their individual stories without uncomfortable challenge or unnecessary confrontation (Nichols, 2013). It is important to note that family dysfunction that often leads to divorce is not attributed to one individual, but the entire family system. In structural family therapy, part of dealing with the issue of divorce in the family is to focus on the interactions between all the family members both positive and negative. Through these interactions the therapist can discover where the conflicts arise, which will in turn help the therapist understand how these negative interaction affect the family. Family therapy in these cases allows for repair of long-standing interactional patterns in which divorce is just one of a series of ongoing transactions that are disruptive to the child’s development (Kaplan, 1977, p.75). The structural family therapist often has the family play out these family interactions via enactments so that he can get a firsthand look at maladaptive patterns, roles, and
Rpt. in Family. Vol. 5. Ed. Eleanor Goldstein. Boca Raton, FL: S.I.R.S., Inc., 1994. Art. 22.
4.14).” “Major issues that confront families include financial pressures and money management; trying to balance home, work, community, and personal responsibilities; infidelity; decision making and conflict resolution; dealing with health problems; addressing personal, educational, and occupational needs of family members; maintaining a home and household; dealing with substance abuse, crime, or domestic violence problems; co-parenting; divorce and stepfamilies; and dealing with aging parents. The family shoulders a tremendous responsibility and usually requires assistance from others as a result (Vissing, 2011 sect
Regardless of the position within their family, decisions can be made openly and honestly, while acknowledging their differences. However, this therapy can limit the family role concerning how to appreciate each other, decreased desire to solve the issues, and more geared toward groups(M.U.S.E).
Within this particular counseling setting, the focus is on the interaction of the family members, and involves interventions that affect the entire family system (Henderson, 2016). The goal of this theory is to change the dysfunctional family patterns through a variety of arrangements, from individuals to group interaction. The Systems theory is organized in units made up of different parts, which is a circular, pattern which A causes B and B causes A (Henderson, 2016). Systems Family Theory viewed human nature in a positive perspective, which people are rational and have the ability to make choices (Henderson, 2016). Furthermore, the Family Systems Theory perceives behavior as directly relating to the individual position within the family. There are eight concepts that Bowen believed centered around the Family Systems Theory, many which reflect family boundaries and interactions. These concepts include, relationships between spouses, differentiation of self, triangles, nuclear family emotional system, family projection process, multigenerational transmission process, sibling position, emotional cutoffs, and emotional process in society (Henderson, 2016). Other core concept, determined by other theorist, revolves around centripetal and centrifugal which further describe the relationship styles within the families by looking inward, centripetal, as source of satisfaction; along with, centrifugal, looking outside for satisfaction (Henderson, 2016). In addition, another core concept is family projection process that refers to the transmission that causes symptoms in the child (Henderson, 2016). Many of the concepts described in the Family Systems Theory, are based on the connection, the togetherness, and the conflict that leads to a person holding responsibility within their role within the family.
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)
families have struggles, both internal and external, and while this is undoubtedly true, the struggles that
A family is defined as a “system within a system”, it is actually compared to a self operating entity in which each part is related to another in order for it to correctly function (Sigelman & Rider, 2012, p.470). Sigelman and Rider (2012) agree that, the family is a changing system, in a sense, because there are new members that come in, some others pass away, and that changes sometimes the roles of each and everyone in the system. There are multiple relationships in the family such as parents-children, and siblings to siblings. Also, families nowadays exist in a changing world; therefore we are seeing more unmarried parents, more working mothers, more divorces, and more multigenerational families (Sigelman & Rider, 2012, pp. 472-473).
intervention. Families in Society. Vol. 88, pg. 42. Proquest Direct database. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
The television sitcom Modern Family produced by Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd shows the many different types of a modern American family. According to Andrew Hampp, “The show is among the most-viewed scripted programs in prime time in its second season, averaging 11 million viewers during original airings and often ranked as the most DVRed program most weeks” (2). The television show is a frequently watched show and is liked by many viewers. Modern Family's storyline helps the families of viewers by being an influential and relatable show to different types of families. The show is about the lives of three different families that are all related. In the show there are Jay and Gloria, an intergenerational couple with two sons-- Manny (from Gloria’s previous relationship) and Joe, their new baby. Jay’s adult son Cameron is married to his gay partner Mitchell, and they adopted Lily from Vietnam. Finally, Jay’s daughter Claire is married to her heterosexual partner named Phil and they have three children. The show is influential to our culture today because it shows these different types of families and addresses controversial themes such as gay adoption, the different family connections and communications, intergenerational coupling, and acceptance of diversity within an extended family. The family is easy to relate to while watching because it is based off of real family situations.
The story from the vantage point of the family’s position in the family life cycle.
Family dynamics and their structure have gone through many changes in the last 100 years. The development of diverse and unique family styles was very interesting and I was surprised by the many changes over the spectrum of time. In addition, I discovered that I have been a little sheltered by my own environment. I had failed to learn about other cultures, but what I learned from this course and the way we define family was eye opening. Considering the definition of a family unit, it is easy to see how much that definition has changed. People living in the same home and celebrating the same belief system, although not related by blood, are still considered family. From single parents, to grandparents raising the grandchildren, and homosexual
There are so many different types of family relationships. Whatever form a family takes; it is an important part of everyone’s life. My family has played an important role in my life. Good family relationships serve as a foundation to interactions with others. Supportive families will help children to thrive. The quality of the family relationship is more important than the size of the family. Making the relationships priority, communication, and providing support for one another is key to developing relationships. Family relationships are what make up our world today; they shape the ways that we see things and the ways that we do things.