Family Development and Dynamics

Families and Family Development

  • Definition of Family:
    • Traditional form: Mom, Dad, and children.
    • Different forms:
    • Single parent families (mom or dad).
    • Extended families (grandparents raising grandchildren).
    • Blended families (stepfamilies).
  • Functional Definition of Family (Anderson & Sabatelli, 1999):
    • An interdependent group of individuals who:
    1. Have a shared sense of history:
      • They share experiences together, both good and bad.
    2. Experience emotional bonding:
      • Care and support for each other.
    3. Devise strategies for meeting needs:
      • Meet collective family needs and individual needs (e.g., financial, emotional).

Developmental Stages of Family Life Cycle

(Carter & McGoldrick, 1980; McGoldrick & Carter, 2003)

  • The family goes through various stages similar to individual development (inspired by Erikson).

  1. Unattached Young Adult Stage:

    • Goals:
      • Accept separation from parents, establish self in work, develop intimate relationships.
    • Tasks:
      • Find career paths and intimate partnerships as a foundation for future family.

  2. Joining of Families Through Marriage:

    • Goals:
      • Commitment to a new relationship system, balance individual autonomy with partnership.
    • Tasks:
      • Redefine relationships.
      • Address sexual compatibility and commitment to work towards sustaining the relationship.

  3. Family With Young Children (Expansion):

    • Goals:
      • Accept new family members and create parenting roles.
    • Tasks:
      • Establish parenting strategies and reinforce marital/sexual relationships post-children’s arrival.

  4. Family With Adolescents (Consolidation):

    • Goals:
      • Adapt to children’s increasing independence while maintaining family unity.
    • Tasks:
      • Increase flexibility in family boundaries.
      • Address midlife marriage and career issues.

  5. Launching Children and Moving One (Contraction):

    • Goals:
      • Accept children leaving home, find new interests, and develop adult relationships with children.
    • Tasks:
      • Navigate joy and sadness of children growing up and move towards parental independence.

  6. Family in Later Life (Final Partnership):

    • Goals:
      • Adjust to decreased family unit and adapt to aging.
    • Tasks:
      • Maintain marital enjoyment and cope with loss of family members.

Baumrind’s Four Parenting Styles

(Baumrind, 1978; 1991)

  1. Authoritarian:

    • Rigid rules, harsh discipline; discourages individuation.
    • Children may grow up withdrawn; internalized anger can lead to self-destructive behaviors.

  2. Permissive-Indulgent:

    • Little discipline; children receive everything they want.
    • Kids tend to be self-centered; may lack independence and achievement, leading to insecurity.

  3. Erratic-Neglectful:

    • Inconsistent discipline; indifferent parenting.
    • Result in aggressive behavior and impulse control difficulties in children.

  4. Authoritative:

    • Balanced discipline with affection; sets consistent rules.
    • Children typically become socially responsible, self-reliant, and assertive.

Child Abuse

  • Definition:

    • Any act or failure to act by a caregiver resulting in significant harm or risk to a child.

  • Statistics (CDC, 2016):

    • 3.4 million cases reported; 794,000 substantiated; about 1,642 deaths annually.

  • Types of Abuse:

    1. Physical Abuse (18%):
      • Injuries like bruises, burns, and fractures.
    2. Neglect (78%):
      • Health, safety, and medical neglect.
    3. Sexual Abuse (9%):
      • Includes exploitation and sexual acts towards children.
    4. Emotional Abuse/Neglect (11%):
      • Constant belittling or extreme punishment.

  • Causes of Abuse:

    • Extreme life stress, relationship problems, lack of parenting skills, unrealistic expectations, substance abuse, and cycles of abuse.

  • Mandated Reporters:

    • Professionals required by law to report suspected child abuse (teachers, healthcare workers, etc.).

References

  • Anderson, S. A., & Sabatelli, R. M. (1999). Family Interaction: A Multigenerational Developmental Perspective.
  • Baumrind, D. (1978). Parental disciplinary patterns and social competence in children.
  • Carter, E. A., & McGoldrick, M. (1980). The Family Life Cycle: A Framework for Family Therapy.
  • Fortson, B. L., et al. (2016). Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Resource for Action.
  • McGoldrick, M. & Carter, B. (2003). The family life cycle.
  • Whipple, E. E. (2006). Child abuse and neglect: Consequences of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of children.