The family Systems Theory

The family is as strong as its weakest link because as a whole the family will function better than as several parts. In my community there is a family that appears to have no rule governing the household because children can go out at any time day or night. They speak to adults and children alike. Children of both sexes have become a parent during their teenage years. In my mind as well as other members in the community this family is dysfunctional. This view is supported by the family systems theory where the situation is viewed as a family problem and not as an individual problem.  It makes no sense to blame one member of the family (linear casualty) for the problem because this blame game may never end. I do believe however that the family needs to set positive rules and stick to them. The children in this family appears to be confused about what they can or cannot do because the adults may instruct the children to stay in the yard but nothing is done when this rule is broken. The children’s behavior has now become dysfunction as a result of this double bind concept.

After receiving much advice from concerned members in the community the family seems to be stuck in their ways. The systems theory speaks to this as many persons or families have that need for stability. If the family is to change the way in which they operate then a sense of instability will arise.