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FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY

EDUCATION 2
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT

Submitted to:
Marili B. Cardillo

Submitted by:
Edwin B. Estrera
DPE

II. TOPIC PRESENTATION:

2.1 Family Systems Theory by Patricia Munichin

2.2 OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the discussion, the students should be able to do the following with at
least 75% accuracy:
1. define and explain what family systems theory is,
2. examine how family systems theory work in their own families,
3. debate on what a desirable family system is.
2.3 MOTIVATION
The facilitator will let the students view a short clip about a family. At the end of the
film, he will explain the importance of family in the context of the development of
the child.
2.4 DISCUSSION
Patricia Munichin
Patricia Munichin is a Professor Emerita at Temple University in
Philadelphia, and Codirector of Family Studies, Inc. Trained as a
developmental psychologist, she has been interested in bringing a
developmental orientation into clinical work with families and a
systemic perspective into psychological research. 1
She has published lots of books all of which focused on the development of the
child in the context of the family.
Similar theorists are Murray Bowen and Michael Chin who have been at the
forefront in the development of systems theory.
Introduction to Family Systems Theory
Family is the basic unit of society. It is the main building block to which our society is
built upon. It is the primary agent of socialization to which we learn the basics of
life. It is the place where we acquire our values. Thus, it is very important that we
understand our families. In this way, we understand why a student behaves in this
way.
For us to understand Family Systems, let us break down the concept into two:
Family a social construct, pertaining to domestic partnership. For the purpose
of this discussion, it would refer to a group consisting of parents and children
living together in a household.
System it is a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in
particular. Just like in a chime, when you move any one piece, all the other
pieces move too. They do not exist in isolation from one another, and
1

http://www.humansystemsjournal.eu/trustees/patricia-minuchin

movement in any one part of the system will affect all the rest of the parts of
the system. In a system, there is interconnectedness and interrelatedness.
Therefore,
Family Systems Theory is a theory that looks into the interactions among the
family members. It tries to understand how families work and relate to one
another, and how it affects the relationship of a family member to another family
member.
Family systems theory is more than a therapeutic technique. It is a philosophy
that searches for the causes of behavior, not in the individual alone, but in the
interactions among the members of a group. The basic rationale is that all parts
of the family are interrelated. Further, the family has properties of its own that
can be known only by looking at the relationships and interactions among all
members.
Characteristics of a Family System:
1.

External and internal family boundaries

A family has an invisible boundary that helps to define it as separate and

different from other systems.
There is a wide range of boundary styles ranging from open to closed.
A family has internal boundaries that define how family members relate to
each other. These are subsystems based on generation, sex, interests, etc.

Although not necessarily physical, it can be seen as to how families use their
properties. For example, a family who builds a fence around their house may mean
that they are exclusivist, and entrance of a non-family member is difficult. Further, if
it has a gate and a doorbell, it may further imply that socialization with this type of
family with respect to the outside world is difficult.
Groups within the families exist. This is called the subsystems. These are the allgirls group, all-boys group, adult-group, parents-only group, etc.
Tightly controlled
access; privacy is
valued; change is
difficult

Relative access to family

spaces; rules are welldefines but flexible;
closeness is encouraged.

Closed

Easy access to family space;

little privacy; rules tend to
be flexible; change can lead
to chaos.

Moderate
Open

Figure 1. Family boundary continuum.

Most families have a mixture of open and closed systems. For example, a family
that is very active in community engagement can be understood as very open to

socialization with non-family members, but they may be strict and closed when it
comes to dinner time, and may designate it a family-only moment.
2.

Family rules

Families maintain stability by developing rules about how to live together.

Families have rules about everything. Some rules are explicit and some are
not. Some can be discussed and some cannot.
Families vary in the kind of rules they have, whether they can be discussed,
how easily they can be changed, and how they are enforced.

Families establish rules to ensure stability and promote cohesiveness. They are
needed to regulate the behavior of a family member. How they are formed is
sometimes forgotten, but rules exist out a situation. They are either implicit or
explicit. Explicit rules are those that were created to establish discipline or
responsibility, e.g. child to wash the dishes, homework time, and bedtime. Implicit
rules are not initiated, e.g. parents should not argue in front of the children these
are silent contracts. Rules need to be flexible depending on the situation. For
example, rules in bedtime and homework change when children grow up.
Otherwise, they may opt to rebel.
3.

Family role organization

Role organization varies greatly among families.

Ideally, roles within the family are both clear and flexible.

Role organization simply refers to the functions and responsibilities of a family

member. This would enable the family to delegate tasks as to who cares for the
children, who works, who has the final decision on family issues, etc.
4.
(equilibrium)

Power

distribution

among

family

members

Families develop ways to make decisions and to resolve conflict. Distribution

of power usually shifts over time with needs of the members. It is important
that there be a reliable, predictable pattern of power distribution.

Certain groups, especially the parents, hold a certain amount of power to be able to
protect their interests while keeping the well-being of the family members. Some
families strive to maintain equality, but patriarchal families usually have the father
as the main decision maker. Also, power shifts over time as children grow and
exercise autonomy.
5.

The communication process

Each family works out its ways of operating through a communication

system. Families have many rules about communication which can be
located on a scale ranging from open to closed. There is no one "ideal" type,
and different styles work for different families.

Families communicate whether they like or not. It is a way to relay messages. But
how open or closed they are in communication depends on the kind of family
structure that they have.
Messages are distorted and
ambiguous; individuals do not
express their needs

Messages are clear and

unambiguous; expressions are
clear and well-defined

Closed
Open
Figure 2. Family communication continuum.
Interrelationships in a Family System:

The family is not just a collection of individual. It is a whole larger than the
sum of its parts.
A change in the family situation means readjustment of the total system
and can pose problems and challenges for every single member

Every family is faced with the test of allowing for growth and changes
while maintaining the integrity of the system.
It is a delicate balance.
It is a stable but open system.

The Four Parenting Styles

The vertical line is about demandingness, control or discipline. It refers to the
degree to which parents attempt to integrate a child into the family social system
by enforcing family rules and standards. The Horizontal line is about responsivess,
warmth or love. It refers to parental attempts to support the development of their
child's individuality and self-assertive tendencies.

Figure 4. The four parenting styles.

1. Authoritarian Style
Children are expected to follow strict rules established by the parents. Failure to
follow usually results in punishment. Authoritarian parents fail to explain the
reasoning behind these rules, and when they are asked why would usually tell their
children, Because I said so.
Impact: Authoritarian parenting results to children who are obedient and proficient,
but rank lower in happiness, social competence and self-esteem.
2. Authoritative Style

This style establishes rules and guidelines that their children are expected to follow.
Parents are responsive to their children and are willing to listen to questions.
Parents are more nurturing and forgiving rather than punishing.
Impact: Authoritative parenting results in children who are happy, capable and
successful.

3. Permissive Style
Referred to as Indulgent Parents, they have very few demands to make of their
children. They rarely have discipline because they have relatively low expectations
of maturity and self-control. Parents are generally nurturing and communicative
with their children.
Impact: Permissive parenting would get children who rank low in happiness and
self-regulation. Children are more likely to experience problems with authority and
tend to perform poorly in school.
4. Uninvloved Style
This style is characterized by few demands, low responsiveness and little
communication. Parents are generally detached from their childs life.
Impact: This style of parenting rank lowest across all life domains. These children
tend to lack self-control, have low self-esteem and are less competent that their
peers.
Why study Family Systems Theory in relation to the study of Education?
Education students need to understand Family Systems Theory and Parenting Styles
mainly because teachers are understood to be parent surrogates. We are
considered to be the parents of 40-50 students each year, and understanding this
theory would mean understanding where your students are coming from, and
understanding them why they are behaving in this way. Then teachers would be
able to get the proper approach for their classes. In addition, with this parenting
style, teachers are able to grasp how open or closed s/he can be, as s/he creates
relationships with his/her students. as future educators, we are guided and
reminded that our students are products of diverse families with different
backgrounds, values and attitudes, and understanding them would help us cope up
with this challenge and be flexible enough to deliver excellence in our field.
2.5 APPLICATION
The class needs to debate on the premise below:

Given how the current generation has been greatly influenced by the
advancement of technology, parents are justified to be authoritarian in
their parenting style.

III. REFERENCES

web.pdx.edu/~cbcm/CFS410U/FamilySystemsTheory.pdf
www.bluffton.edu/courses/tlc/nathp/.../familysystems.ppt
http://www.education.com/reference/article/parenting-styles1/
www.naeyc.org/files/yc/file/200601/ChristianBTJ.pdf
www.slideshare.net/Marianne0895/family-system-model
www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch1.htm

IV. WORD OF THE DAY

The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn
From more than what you tell them.
They don't remember what you try to teach them.
They remember what you are.
- Jim Henson