GENOGRAM

Genogram
Jodi Sviontek
Wayne State University
SW 3020
Professor Huff
April 20th, 2013

GENOGRAM

Abstract
In this assignment I have diagramed my familys genogram on poster board along with a brief
paper describing the summary of the genogram and my familys history. The purpose of the
genogram is to take a deeper look into ones family, from the present, to several past generations.
The genogram clearly and descriptively diagrams the general and complex information of a
family. The genogram shows relationships among family members, in an in depth manner; for
example it can show a relationship that has been strained as well as a strong loving one. The
genogram is a family study that is used to help construct details about the family that can give
important information to a social worker or therapist that will help a client see certain behaviors
and possible prediction in future generation regarding behaviors and occurrences. While
gathering information and actually creating the genogram I feel like I have learned more about
my family and where I came from. I also feel I have obtained a better understanding regarding
recurring behaviors and patterns in family history.

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Genogram
In the genogram that I have constructed I have noticed generation patterns and behaviors
that I feel I might not have noticed without having created a genogram. In my eyes my familys
construction has always been small and minimal without too much history and depth because I
have a non-existent relationship with my father and do not have close relationships with
relatives. This assignment made me realize that every person has a story, and that if you dig in
deep enough to the story there is always a colorful history.
I am an only child whose mother and father were never married. My mother and father
had a casual dating relationship that was short term. My father left the picture soon after I was
born, so I actually never met him; (in the genogram I did address the relationship distant and
poor as well) which indicates that I have no history of my fathers family. I often while growing
up will often refer to my grandfather as a father figure, he and I were very close. My mother is a
single mother who was married once then divorced; the marriage was violent and abusive. My
Grandparents on my mothers side had my mother and another daughter who was older than my
mom. My aunt (mothers sister) died before I was born so I never met her, she was married when
she died from Wilsons disease, her husband later went on to be re-married and had two kids a
son and a daughter, whom I never met. My mothers relationship with my grandparents were
hostile, there was some emotional abuse that my mother endured from my grandfather. My
grandfather was an alcoholic and my grandmother was very passive about things, she died from a
heart attack when I was eight. I had some pleasant and not so pleasant memories of my
grandmother, I loved her but she was a little rough and cold. My great grandparents on both sides
of my grandmother and grandfather were from Poland. My grandfathers father died when he
was young so my great grandmother took care of him and his six siblings. They were poor and

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there was abuse in the family amongst the siblings, my grandfathers relationship with his
mother was close. My grandmothers relationship with her parents was close. She had six other
siblings as well just like my grandfather, but their relationships were close as well. I do not have
any information of my great-great grandparents, so as far as I can go currently is my great
grandparents. Other than alcoholism that my grandfather dealt with, there was no history of it
neither from his family nor from my grandmothers. On my grandmothers side there was a history
of heart disease, three of my great uncles died from heart attacks.
Again, I dont keep contact with my family so unfortunately I dont have any ties with cousins,
nieces and nephews. I never had a close relationship with aunts or uncles either. Being the only
child I always played by myself or with school friends. I have always been a quiet, keep to
myself person. However, I do feel that the relationships that I have had with my mother and
grandfather were very important and significant. They molded me in to the person that I am
today. They loved, cared for and nurtured me, I learned how to work hard for things and that
how you treat people is a reflection on how you want to be treated.
Constructing the genogram made me realize that there is a deep history in my family
even though it is small. The history is comprised of thoughts of good times and stories, and it has
made me realize that though the history might appear uneventful, I am very lucky to have had the
experiences that I have had and a family who have supported, clothed, fed and put a roof over
my head. There hasnt been too much conflict and strife in my family, which again I am very
lucky for.

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References
Jodis Genogram