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Family Dynamics

These are patterns of interactions or relating between members of a


family. Different families have unique dynamics and systems even
though some patterns may be common. In all families, certain helpful as
well as useless dynamics must be present. Even cases of absence or little
family contact, a young person will always have an influence flowing
from dynamics of earlier years. Such influences determine strongly how
the young people perceive themselves, other people, as well as the
world. Their relationships are also influences by such family dynamics,
as well as their well being and behaviors. Being informed of how family
dynamics impact self-perception of the young people is vital to workers
in pinpointing and responding to the forces that drive the needs of a
young person. In his study, ooo focuses on family dynamics through the
lenses of family system theory. This paper focuses on the understanding of the
family and parenting from the perspective of family systems theory.

Family Systems Theory


When an individual is encountered with a problem, its cause must be
identified for the issue to be solved and help the affected person move
on with life. The family systems theory suggests that it is impossible to
understand a person in isolation. Therefore, to understand an individual,
one must consider the family system in which they belong because it is
an emotional unit. Families are interconnected and interdependent
system of individuals and none of them can be understood solely in
isolation of the family system. The family systems theory views issues
in a circular manner by use of a systematic perspective. All elements in
the system are believed to exist in a relationship context, whereby
influence is existent. To understand problems, according to this theory,
interaction pattern assessments must be done, emphasizing on what is
currently happening and not why it is happening.
This theory’s approach focuses on the bi-directional element of
relationships, and does away with blaming an individual for the dynamic
except on cases of abusive relationships, whereby the perpetrator must
be responsible. Symptomatic behavior arises out of all family members’
interrelated behavior. This means that to understand the situation of a
young person, their behavior must be explored in the family system
context but not in isolation. The emphasis is on the dynamics patterns
within the family system of a young person. This included the impact of
the young person’s behavior into the family system.
Understanding Parenting and Family Dynamics from Personal Upbringing

As seen from the family therapy theory, a number of traits can be passed from one generation to
another because the family associates itself closely with such practices. Every family has its own
dynamics, and mine too has some unique dynamics that can also be generalized across other families.
When I reflect on the dynamics within my family, I find certain rituals, which are meaningful to me, as
well as enjoyable. In fact, I would want to pass on to my children and grandchildren some of these
rituals. Also I would wish the younger generation to emulate some of them. I am an African American in
origin and thus a number of challenges have been part of my childhood growth. However, despite some
challenges, my family has given joy with the kinds of rituals that runs through.

One ritual I find useful is attending church on a regular basis. I was born in a God fearing family, whereby
Sunday is considered the most favorite day for everyone. My family childhood memories surround
attending church every Sunday. Our church was not very far form where we lived and thus we used to
go on foot. During church services, a number of rituals were performed including singing, dancing,
clapping hands, and giving. I enjoyed every bit of the service and my mother was in choir. The pastor
used to read from the Bible and gave us instructions on how one can live a good life here on earth, as
well as life after death. Through these church going rituals, we were nurtured into growing up as good
children. We knew that engaging in a number of vices was against the commandments of God and thus
we always avoided trouble. Using the Biblical principles, our parents also emphasized on the need to
work together and depend on God for directions and wisdom. I consider these rituals very essential and
thus I would wish to pass them to my children, as well as grandchildren.

According to --- , family theory provides that each member in the family has a rule to relate with and
none can exist in isolation. By relating to our church going ritual, a number of rules were established and
each one of us would relate to it easily. Also conflict was solved in a systematic way, whereby the wrong
doer was supposed to ask for forgiveness. Elements of scapegoat were tackled tactfully whereby we
knew that wrongdoing, which is equivalent to sinning against God, was triggered by the devil in a
person. As a result, the blame was placed in an invisible spirit that drives an individual to commit a given
wrong. However, such a spirit could only be dealt with if the wrongdoer yielded to the fact that he or
she allowed the devil to take advantage of the situation thereby making him or her to sin. This means
we were trained to take responsibilities of our activities without blaming other people. The church going
ritual can be generalized across all families, and thus I recommended such ritual to be passed on to the
young ones. The younger generation relies on the peer to mould their character, and such cases can be
dangerous. We worshiped with other families and this confirms that the ritual can be generalized across
the society.
Although we were brought up in a Christian family, we had some issues that affected our upbringing in
some ways and I would not wish my children to be brought up this way. Our father developed mental
problems when I was very young and was thus confined in a mental institution for rehabilitation. As a
family rule, we were to stand by our father in his conditions and thus we were required to visit him in
the mental hospital. Between the age of 7 and 10, I visited the mental hospital, and the site of ailing
patient affected me. It was scary watching people who have mental conditions. They appeared like
zombies as my father did and I used to have nightmare of the same. I would scream at night and run
away from people in some cases. This made to be withdrawn as well as lose my concentration. However,
I was later taken to a therapist whereby I recovered from the same.

There are several influences on family dynamics and one of them is the
way parents relate. Children raised by chaotic parents are not stable in
all circles of life compared to children borne of peaceful and loving
parents. Another influence is having parents that are particularly strict or
soft. Family dynamics can also be influenced by the number of children
in a particular family or by the different personalities present in family
members. The absence of a parent is also influential as well as a mix of
different members in a single household. Members of the extended
family are also of great influence to family dynamics or even people
outside the family system. A disabled or chronically ill individual in the
family also influences family dynamics. Family values, ethnicity, and
culture are of great influence to family dynamics as well as the dynamics
of earlier generations.
Family roles
There are different functions and roles within a family system. these
roles come as a result of family dynamics. The way of behaving and
interacting of people result from their own conscious choice. There are
several roles taken by young people in the family such as peacekeeping,
the problem as a role, and scapegoating. In peacekeeping, the young
person seeks to reduce chaos between conflicting parents. In having a
problem as a role, a young person can use their own problems such as
drug abuse to make their parents focus on them and detach from conflict
between them. In scapegoating, one is considered as the cause of the
problem.

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