The family system theory

The family system theory is a theory that suggested that individuals cannot be understand in isolation from one another, but rather as a part of their family, as the family is an emotional unit. What I understand from this theory is that in the family system each member had a role to play and rules to respect. Members are expected to respond to each other in a certain way according to their roles. If the family members maintain the same pattern of behaviour with the system it will lead to a balance in the family system. Because the family is seen as a system if one of its members is having a problem then the family is seen as dysfunctional family. The individual is responsible for their own behaviour, but no behaviour can be understood in isolation. What it is saying is instead of trying to trace the problem to find out where it began the theorist is saying that we should deal with the chain of interaction that is happening at that time that fuel the problem. For example there was a situation at one of the heart institution where this student would go to the security bar that separate the female from the male to have sex with the male for financial gain. When she was caught and her mother was call in they find out that it was a family thing, but instead of going back in time to where it started they deal with the mother on how they can control the immediate situation.

In my understanding the theorist is encouraging communication among family members.   When there is a problem, the location of the problem is not within the individual but in the family. Most theories look at the individual as having a problem, but systems theory sees the family as dysfunctional. The problems in the family result from a struggle between persons. Therefore I understand why the girl mother was call in because it is a family problem.