Family Systems Theory Case Study

The Family Systems Theory, a brain child of Murray Bowen is designed around the idea that no human exists alone, ether as a person or biological entity (McCune, 2009). The basis of the theory is that relationships are triangular. When this system is within equilibria limits two lines on the sides of each triangle are in harmony and one line is in conflict. This is the basis for what Fine and Fincham refer to as the triadic relationship. The triadic relationship, most commonly involves a father, mother, and child, with traditional division of labor roles. In this type of relationship interaction is at the most, but equilibrium is not achievable when one member is removed and the relationship becomes dyadic. In the normal family systems theory, the triadic relationship often exists at equilibrium when the mother and father are in conflict with each other, so

In this view the family systems theory would dismiss any possibility for, successful gay childrearing, just as Banduras social learning theory should dismiss heterosexual children being raised by homosexual parents. The largest reason that family system theory would discount gay parenting is because, family systems theory is based almost exclusively on the idea of a nuclear family being the only way to achieve success (McCume, 2009). The typical heterosexual family is regularly referred to as a nuclear family. A nuclear family consist of a male father, female mother, and sex-gender matching children. Within the family each member has roles that abide by typical gender norms. The mother does the cooking and cleaning, the father is the primary income provider, the male children play with GI Joe, and the female children play with Barbie. In actuality this concept of family is decreasing, and being supplanted by a hodgepodge of mixtures, but in family science the nuclear family is still considered the model to which all others are