Family InteractionsChapter 16

Do you think other people really know what it is like to live in your family?

Why might their perception of your family be different than yours?

Journal

1.4: Analyze the impact of multiple roles of family members on family communication.

1.5: Evaluate methods of balancing the multiple roles of family member, wage earner, and community member

State Standards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpHm2PJduXw

A Little Family Comedy

Family interactions are usually private. Other people may not know how your family

members relate to or treat each other when no one else is around.

Family Interactions

Rowena’s dad opened the door leading to auditorium as Rowena and her mother hurried inside. He helped them remove their coats and quickly checked them. The three politely smiled and thanked the usher who escorted them to their seats. Side by side they sate through the play, laughing and clapping with the rest of the audience.

Afterword, they pleasantly chatted with friends, neighbors, classmates, and teachers. No one could tell that the three were involved in a big argument before hurriedly leaving home. Only they knew about the heated words that were exchanged over Rowena’s late date the night before. This was a matter that the family members intended to keep private. To everyone in the auditorium, this family appeared happy and content.

Life Sketch

Family interactions can be complex. When a family is comprised of 2,

interactions occur in 2 directions. In a family of 4, there are 12 different

relationships. Each time a person is added the number of

relationships multiplies

Family Interactions, continued

Family members have various roles◦ Example: spouse, mother, father, son, daughter,

or grandparent Factors affecting family roles

◦ Family needs- the family identifies it’s needs then determines who will best meet those needs

◦ Past experiences- expectations may be passed from one generation to another

◦ Changes outside the family and within the family- unemployment, family structure, growth and development of children

The Roles of Family Members

Complete SAG Activity A

Activity

Expectations within a family and each member’s role is interrelated

They cannot exist without each other Meeting these expectations becomes a

family effort Examples:

◦ Satisfying physical needs◦ Promoting emotional support◦ Speaking and being heard◦ Supporting and encouraging

Rights and Responsibilities in a Family

In a family system, every member has an effect on every other member

Balancing the family system- balance family systems by defining each member’s roles.

Expectations should be clear and realistic Responsibilities should match skills and

abilities Children need opportunities to learn new

skills, take in new information, be creative, and express themselves

The Family as a System

Families balance their family system by defining each member’s roles

Each person needs to know what behaviors and actions are expected

Expectations should be clear and realistic Needs of family members must be met by

managing family resources Each family member’s roles should include

encouraging the other family members

Balancing a Family System

Sometimes family members don’t fulfill their roles

This can be intentional or unintentional There are many reasons When roles are not fulfilled the family

becomes unbalanced This situation may continue until the root

problem is solved The family member must be helped so they

can fulfill their roles or the family members must pitch in to catch the slack

Making Adjustments to the Family System

Composed of 5 stages that extend from marriage to death of a spouse

Most families go through similar stages of the family life cycle

In each stage family members have different roles to fill

The Family Life Cycle

Newly Married Early Parenthood Later Parenthood The Empty Nest Retirement

As a group, read through your section You will present the section as well as a

short dramatization of what might occur in that stage

Group Activity

Communication Patterns in Families