Within my practice like a family counselor, I have been of the opinion that my understanding concerning the family existence cycle continues to be useful in supplying treatment. I figured that my understanding regarding families with adolescents, for instance, was useful to understand and intervening in family issues involving a teenager. Lately, however, I grew to become aware to the fact that we can’t define the household as other things however a relationship between a minimum of a couple. Because of the growing awareness concerning the diversity of familial structures and procedures, it might be fair to state that families do not need to always be u . s . by items like love, commitment, genetics, living plans, etc.
Consequently, rapport between a couple, when they refer to it as a household, is sufficient proof of a household. Because the definitions of the family are contested, elaborated, and expanded upon, we’re playing a household existence cycle application that’s deficient. The household, because it is redefined, is not limited towards the cycles of marriage, bearing and rearing children, launching children, and achieving a clear nest. Family therapists and scientific study has attempted to maintain by enriching the household existence cycle theory using the cycles divorce and remarriage, for instance. However, Personally i think this isn’t sufficient because they have unsuccessful to know the family cycle needs a re-conceptualization which may render it highly relevant to all family structures and process.
I’ve attempted to simplify familial ways to minimal common denominators–or processes–by identifying all types of family structure and process (which I know). I discarded the processes that aren’t highly relevant to all sorts of families. Although my procedures weren’t very scientific, Personally i think I’ve develop something valid. The very first process I identified, in any kind of family, is settlement and contracting. The household negotiates roles, rules, and tasks for your particular relationship. The 2nd process requires the encounter with stressors. The ultimate process is renegotiation and restructuring.
The household maintains its initial contract (settlement of structure and procedures) until it encounters stressors. Not every stressors prompt the restructuring from the family, however, many do. We can’t pick which stressors particularly will compel a restructuring from the family, because families have different levels and characteristics of tolerance, or breaking points, for stressors. However, we are able to state that the stressors include a minumum of one from the following:
o An addition or deletion of a relative
o A general change in worldview for a number of the household from the people
o A general change in roles for a number of the household people
o A general change in tasks for a number of the household people
o A general change in the interior structure of a number of the household people
Don’t be surprised a household to come across a number of these stressors sooner or later which will compel the household to renegotiate their initial contract regarding roles, rules, and tasks. Periodic settlement, stress, and re-settlement continuously regurgitate. An addition or deletion of the member can include marriage, dying, divorce, another existence in member, adoption, birth, migration, etc.
A general change in worldview can include a general change in goals, priorities, and processes. A general change in tasks can include a brand new or lack of employment, an increase or decrease in earnings, giving birth, etc. A general change in the interior structure of a relative can include mental or physical illness. Although I classify these stressors, I realize them to stay in interaction with one another. A general change in tasks may induce a general change in roles and the other way around, for instance.
