Family Interaction
Family Systems Theory
Families create subsystems that can be more or less cohesive and adapt well, poorly, or not at all to different circumstances. The book compares families to mobiles, if one part moves, it affects and moves all the other parts. The following image represents the family systems framework.
Family Systems Theory
Families create subsystems that can be more or less cohesive and adapt well, poorly, or not at all to different circumstances. The book compares families to mobiles, if one part moves, it affects and moves all the other parts. The following image represents the family systems framework.
Educators have gone from focusing on the child or parental subsystem to focusing on the family as a whole for more effective outcomes.
3 Assumptions of family systems theory
-The family characteristics are inputs into the system in which the family reacts to and produces outputs known as family functions.
-The system is a whole and must me understood only as a whole.
-Boundaries exist between subsystems of the family and result from the interactions of family members with each other and interaction with outside influences.
Family Subsystems:
1. Marital: Interactions among husband and wife or same sex or domestic partners
-Teachers should not make assumptions about the effect the child has on the marital subsystem.
2. Parental: interactions among parents or caregivers and their children
-Foster parents are typically left out of decision making process, families who have adopted children with disabilities usually experience a high level of well being, children who have gay or lesbian parents do not differ from children with straight parents but are at risk of being teased or bullies.
3. Sibling: Interactions among children in a family
-Different cultures have different expectations for the roles siblings play.
-Siblings of a child with a disability often provide caregiving and companionship.
4. Extended Family: Interactions among members of the nuclear family, relatives, and others considered relatives
-Do not assume that every family from a diverse background has support from extended family.
-Ask the parents which family members they want to involve as they work with you and other professionals.
3 Assumptions of family systems theory
-The family characteristics are inputs into the system in which the family reacts to and produces outputs known as family functions.
-The system is a whole and must me understood only as a whole.
-Boundaries exist between subsystems of the family and result from the interactions of family members with each other and interaction with outside influences.
Family Subsystems:
1. Marital: Interactions among husband and wife or same sex or domestic partners
-Teachers should not make assumptions about the effect the child has on the marital subsystem.
2. Parental: interactions among parents or caregivers and their children
-Foster parents are typically left out of decision making process, families who have adopted children with disabilities usually experience a high level of well being, children who have gay or lesbian parents do not differ from children with straight parents but are at risk of being teased or bullies.
3. Sibling: Interactions among children in a family
-Different cultures have different expectations for the roles siblings play.
-Siblings of a child with a disability often provide caregiving and companionship.
4. Extended Family: Interactions among members of the nuclear family, relatives, and others considered relatives
-Do not assume that every family from a diverse background has support from extended family.
-Ask the parents which family members they want to involve as they work with you and other professionals.
Cohesion and Adaptability
Range of cohesion: When families are very cohesive the boundaries between the subsystems may become unclear. Low cohesion can be difficult leaving the child without the support they need.
Implications of cohesion: Recognizing the amount of cohesion allows a teacher to provide the necessary services and supports for the family and child.
Ranges of Adaptability: There is a relationship between how well the parents adapt to their child's disability and the quality of the relationships they have. The book refers to adoption as a process rather than a one time event.
Implications of Adaptability: The ability of a family to be flexible and adapt to life changes can contribute significantly to positive adjustment. The book offers multiple strategies to support families like helping them plan for positive change, encouraging families to examine various alternatives, and helping families view their situations from a more favorable perspective.
Range of cohesion: When families are very cohesive the boundaries between the subsystems may become unclear. Low cohesion can be difficult leaving the child without the support they need.
Implications of cohesion: Recognizing the amount of cohesion allows a teacher to provide the necessary services and supports for the family and child.
Ranges of Adaptability: There is a relationship between how well the parents adapt to their child's disability and the quality of the relationships they have. The book refers to adoption as a process rather than a one time event.
Implications of Adaptability: The ability of a family to be flexible and adapt to life changes can contribute significantly to positive adjustment. The book offers multiple strategies to support families like helping them plan for positive change, encouraging families to examine various alternatives, and helping families view their situations from a more favorable perspective.
Application: This information will help me work effectively with families of students I will work with as a teacher. It helps me better understand the different aspects that affect families and how to deal with them to provide the best education possible for the student. The strategies for supporting interactions on the marital and parental subsystem level will can help me assist the parents or caregivers of students to better support their child.