Stepmom Using The Beavers Systems Model

The systems Perspective sees human behavior as the outcome of interactions within and among systems with interrelated and interdependent parts; as defined by its boundaries. Changing one part of the system affects other parts and the whole system, with predictable patterns of behavior (Hutchinson, 2015). The family system has been a widely used theory of family interventions and assessment. The family systems theory is focused on the family dynamic, involving structures, roles, communication patterns, boundaries, and power relation (Rothbaum, 2004). Many theorist such as Bowen, developed the systems theory that focuses on how a

Social systems are persons or groups of people interacting and mutually influencing each other’s behavior. According to systems theory, the client would be considered as the focal system (e.g., the primary system of interest) or the holon (e.g., the social entity; simultaneously apart of the whole). The client’s family members would be considered as the subsystems (e.g., composite parts) and their community would comprise the suprasystem (e.g., larger systems), in which they are a part of. A father giving his son advice about life is an example of a subsystem interaction. These types of healthy interactions condition the child to believe that the parent is the driving force within their life, which influences the child as they

According to Minuchin (1985), six basic principles outline the Family Systems theory. Each principle describes the function in which a family and its subsystems operate and the inextricable relationships within the system. The first principle of Minuchin’s (1985) theory implies that each member develops and is enveloped within the family unit, while the second principle states that there is a continuous loop in which each member feeds the behaviours of another. Thirdly, family systems have homeostatic elements which restore the family back to its equilibrium when disarrayed (Minuchin, 1985).

The Bowen family systems theory can utilize to understand the Gillison’s family dynamics. According to the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family (2016) the Bowen family system theory views family as an emotional unit that utilizes systems thinking to comprehend the complexity of the interactions within the unit. The theory describes families as having a major influence on their member’s thoughts, feelings and actions, which leads them to feel as if they are composed of the same “emotional skin”. The members of families, according to this theory, are driven by each other’s attention, approval, and support. The members therefore, react to each other’s expectations and wants and needs. The family is therefore interdependent. One change in one member’s function leads to a change in the functioning of the others. This is evidence in the case of the Gillison family.

Another concept views the Family as a Component of Society, this structural-functional theory addresses the family on a broader scale in terms of their contributions, needs and successes like other social systems (eg., educational and healthcare system (p.90, 2003).

When I consider family systems, I am reminded of a metaphor I heard while in undergraduate school about a mobile. A mobile is used to soothe an infant, normally placed above a crib or basinet. Each of its parts are in balance, when working correctly, however if one section becomes off balance the objects become out of sync. This is true with families. If each member of the family unit is doing their part, there is complete balance or homeostasis (Henson). This balance is viewed as a healthy family system. However, if one part of the unit becomes off balance, it disrupts the whole unit causing an unhealthy response with possible long term consequences. As families grow, each member plays an equally important role in the family unit. Children learn quickly the importance of relationships and adapt quickly to their environment. No one can deny the family unit is the most complex system in existence.

According to Beavers Systems Model (Friedman, Bowden & Jones, 2009, p.10)., the healthy families are “competent” or “optimally functioning”. The movie family was quite opposite of the Beavers model. Although the children of the movie family somewhat looked up to their parents as leaders but were confused due to their parent’s infighting and differences in opinions and never considered them as their role models. The directions coming from parents should be consistent but that was not the case. Mom wanted organized house and good grades in school but dad never cared for such things and involved children in making mess, like he did at Chris’ 12th birthday party shown at the beginning of the movie.

It is an intervention that effects connections of individuals in a relationship. In other words, anything that affects one part of the system will have an impact on the other part (Ward & Bélanger, 2014). The family systems theory analyzes the communications of individual within a nuclear family, as well as behaviour patterns that are transmitted to generations. The strengths of this theory is that family is a system within a larger system which can influence others to contribute in particular sorts of behaviours (Ward & Bélanger, 2014). For instance, when domestic violence occurs at home it will change the patterns of individuals within the family. On the other hand, this theory focuses on the whole family rather than focusing on each person. Similar concept is shown in domestic violence whereas abuse takes place, it focuses on how the family is dealing with affects as opposed to how the specific individual is feeling that is being mistreated. Additionally, when aggressive behaviour occurs in families, it causes stress; for example, if spouses commit misuse on one another, it causes adolescents to end up depressed. Family systems theory proposes that when couples cannot balance their emotions, they become emotionally reactive and do whatever is necessary to reduce their anxiety. Violence is one of the solutions that individual use to get out of emotional stress and lessen tension in the

“ From far away drifted a faint, sharp yelp, followed by a chorus of a similar sharp yelps (London 105).” In the book, Call of the Wild by Jack London the main character Buck faces a retrogression. Buck goes from being king like to a wild rebellious dog. Buck goes through this change because men found gold. The men needed dogs like Buck. Buck was half saint Bernard and half scotch-shephard, so he was a gigantic dog and had a thick coat to survive in harsh weather like in the Klondike. So Buck is sold and beat he learns to obey the law of club and fang to be formed into a sled dog, but ends up forming a bond with a man his name was John Thornton . Thornton died and Buck answers the call and runs in the wild becoming alpha of the wolf pack. As Buck was

In many ways family systems theory can be seen as a broad field where there many different implications that make up the system, it is a system. A system is a set of objects that are bound together by a relationship, which are based around the attributes of the objects as drawn upon by (Janet.BB, 1982). Family systems theory addresses the many different ideals and values that make up a typical family, these include the roles each member of the family, the power relations either from the male of the family or both parents of the family, the boundaries that are set within the family to ensure that the structure of the family is secure, in both individualistic and collectivist families this can be seen (Fred Rothbaum, 2002).

The Friedman Family Assessment Model draws heavy on the structure-function framework and on developmental as system theory. The model takes a broad approach to family assessment, which views families as a subsystem of society. The family is viewed as an open social system ((Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008).

In system theory, behaviors and family members responses influence the family pattern and life. Meanings and values are vital components of the

The first part is trying to define the term Family System itself. It gives a very brief overview on the characeristics of a family system and how such a system relates and co-relates to the enviorment. It also gives a short description of the dynamics and dimensions of family systems - cohesion and hierarchy.

In today’s world, families are dynamic and interdependent systems. The developmental processes of the children in the family are deeply affected by how the family system operates. However, a family’s structure does not determine whether it is a healthy family system or not. Today, families consist of single parents, stepparents, divorced parents, remarried parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They are all able to contribute to a healthy functioning family system by meeting each family member’s needs and encouraging positive communication (Jamiolkowski, 2008). Unhealthy family systems have negative and possibly

Family ecology theory looks at how families are influenced by, and subsequently influence their environment. In their text, The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society, Bryan Strong and Theodore Cohen (2014) list four levels to the environment to which individuals adapt: the microsystem, which contains the most immediate influences with which individuals have frequent contact, e.g. families, peers, schools, etc.; the mesosystem, which consists of the interconnections between microsystems, i.e. school, work, and home experiences; the