For This Assignment, Write A Paper On Your Family And How ✓ Solved
For This Assignment Write A Paper On Your Own Family And How It Funct
For this assignment, write a paper on your own family and how it functions as a group. The objective of observing your family in a group activity (e.g., eating dinner, participating in family meetings, conducting a garage sale, etc.) is to observe, recognize, identify, and label healthy and dysfunctional group behaviors. In addition, determine whether various groups applied the correct techniques for reducing tensions and accomplishing the goals of the group. Tasks: Create a 10-page paper analyzing these characters and their functioning within the group in the family. In your paper, address the following points: · Identify the key characters in the family and their roles. · Determine what types of leadership are displayed in the family. · Identify the group's leader and explain why he or she is perceived to be the leader. Identify the source of his or her influence. · Critique the group's decision-making and problem-solving processes. · Determine how others' expectations affect these groups' perceptions of themselves and their actions. · Explain how the members' ascribed statuses are affected by other people's perceptions. · Describe the groups' norms and their evidence. · Analyze these groups from a systems perspective. Use the systems theory to describe how a human services professional might respond to the needs of the characters in the family. Note: Your paper should rely upon at least 4–6 professional literature that are cited in APA format. The literature may include relevant textbooks, peer-reviewed journal articles, and websites created by professional organizations, agencies, or institutions (.edu, .org, or .gov).
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Understanding family dynamics is essential in evaluating both healthy and dysfunctional behaviors within a family unit. This paper explores my own family as a case study to analyze how family members function collectively, the roles they assume, leadership styles, decision-making processes, and norms. By applying systems theory, I will also discuss how a human services professional might approach supporting this family in addressing their specific needs.
Family Overview and Key Characters
My family comprises five members: my parents, my two siblings, and myself. My father, the patriarch, primarily assumes the role of decision-maker and provider, while my mother acts as the nurturer and mediator. My siblings and I have distinct roles based on age, personality, and responsibilities. My older sister manages household chores, and my younger brother is still in school, with minimal responsibilities. Each member’s role aligns with traditional family structures, but there are also unique individual contributions that influence family functioning.
Leadership Styles in the Family
Leadership within my family is predominantly authoritative with elements of democratic decision-making. My father exhibits an authoritative style, often making final decisions after consulting the family members, while my mother adopts a more democratic approach during family meetings, encouraging input and discussion. The perceived leader is my father, primarily because of his influence over economic decisions and authority in structuring daily routines. His influence stems from cultural norms valuing paternal authority, as well as his role as the primary breadwinner.
Decision-Making and Problem-Solving Processes
Family decisions are typically made collectively during family meetings or informal discussions. When conflicts arise, such as disagreements about household responsibilities, my family tends to emphasize dialogue and compromise. However, in urgent situations, decisions tend to be unilateral. The problem-solving approach reflects a combination of collaborative and authoritative strategies, depending on the context. This balance helps maintain cohesion but sometimes results in unresolved tensions.
Impact of Expectations and Perceptions
External expectations, such as societal norms of gender roles and cultural values, heavily influence family perceptions. For instance, my mother’s nurturing role is reinforced by cultural expectations, affecting her self-perception and authority. Similarly, my father’s influence is reinforced by societal views of paternal authority. These perceptions shape how family members view their roles and responsibilities, often aligning with traditional expectations but also occasionally causing conflicts when personal desires diverge.
Ascribed Status and Social Perceptions
Members’ ascribed statuses—such as gender, age, and cultural background—affect their perceived roles within the family. My younger brother’s status as the youngest often limits his influence, while my older sister’s age grants her more decision-making power. Society’s perceptions reinforce these statuses, impacting family interactions and individual self-concept. For example, societal views on gender roles influence the expectations and behaviors of each family member.
Family Norms and Evidence
Norms in our family include routines such as mealtimes, respecting personal space, and participating in chores. These norms are evidenced by consistent behaviors and shared expectations, which promote stability. For example, dinner times are sacred family moments, reinforcing communication and unity. Norms help maintain order but can also be sources of tension when individuals’ needs or preferences change.
Systems Perspective and Professional Response
From a systems perspective, the family operates as an interconnected unit where changes in one member affect others. A human services professional might assess how communication patterns, roles, and norms contribute to either functioning or dysfunction. Interventions could focus on improving communication, redefining roles, and addressing boundary issues to foster healthier interactions. Systems theory emphasizes the importance of viewing the family holistically rather than in isolation of individual members.
Conclusion
Analyzing my family through the lens of group dynamics and systems theory highlights the complex interplay of roles, leadership, norms, and perceptions. Understanding these elements allows for targeted interventions that can enhance family functioning. As a future human services professional, recognizing the systemic nature of family relationships is vital in providing effective support and fostering resilience within families.
References
- Becvar, D. S., & Becvar, R. J. (2017). Family therapy: A systemic integration (8th ed.). Pearson.
- Goldenberg, I., & Goldenberg, H. (2012). Family Therapy: An Overview (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2016). Genograms: Assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). W.W. Norton & Company.
- Turner, F. J. (2019). Social work treatment: Interlocking clinical practice (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Walsh, F. (2016). Strengthening family resilience (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
- Watts, R. E. (2020). Family systems and family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 42(2), 153-170.