Researching family structure

Defining family structure

Context

Families are relationships: between parents and children; between men and women; between older and younger persons; between persons at different stages in human development; between persons with various abilities. Families are systems of exchange: of investment for human growth; of education and incentives; of support and care; of production and consumption. Families, beyond fulfilling functions, are frameworks: for deep-seated emotions; for expectations and motivations; for mutual respect and acceptance. In families, there should be space for: sharing, communication, cooperation, competition, negotiation, forgiving, compassion, exercising true authority, living up to responsibilities, and giving security and enjoying life together.

Claim

In families, there are dependencies and there are reactions to these; both foster individuality, self-reliance and uniqueness -- processes which require patience -- and enable family members to find their pace in a wider community.