Family Systems Theory - Case Study Example

Introduction Family systems theory is based on the notion that family members have important interconnections with one another and that problems among some family members can adversely affect the wellbeing of other family members. This also means that in order to right what might be wrong with one or more members of the family, those whose situations are more stable can play an important role. As Christian (2006) notes, “A primary concept in family systems theory is that the family includes interconnected members, and each member influences the others in predictable and recurring ways (Van Velsor & Cox 2000). From our families we learn skills that enable us to function in larger and more formal settings, such as school and the workplace. Family experiences also shape our expectations of how the larger world will interact with us” (Kern & Peluso 1999; Nieto 2004). In this paper, the case of Ryan, a 15-year old male juvenile delinquent who has been implicated in sexual assault and that of his sister, Melissa, a 13-year old who has begun to be sexually active with an older boy, are considered within the framework of family systems theory, and in particular, acknowledging that “family systems theory is concerned with family dynamics, involving structures, roles, communication patterns, boundaries, and power relations” (Rothbaum et al. 2002). Ryan and delinquency and/or sexual assault Ｓｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅ Family systems theory considers a good quality marriage to be a key factor in the wellbeing of all members of the family. In the case of Ryan, the parents are divorced and the mother finds herself living together with a man to whom she is not married. If the parents are not in the kind of situation where they are at ease with themselves emotionally and otherwise it would be difficult for them to extend loving care and concern to their children. As Rothbaum et al (2002) note, “The quality of the marital relationship is seen as a major determinant of the caregiving provided to the child, and thus of child functioning.” Ｉａｎ’ｓ　ｉｎａｂｉｌｔｙ　ｔｏ　ｄｉｓｃｉｐｌｉｎｅ　Ｒｙａｎ　ｉｓ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　ｆａｉｌｕｒｅ．　Ｉｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｆａｔｈｅｒ　ｆｉｇｕｒｅ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｕｓｅ　ｉｓ　ｕｎａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｃｏｎｔｒｏｌ　Ｒｙａｎ　ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｅａｓｙ　ｆｏｒ　Ｒｙａｎ　to believe that he is the master of his own fate and that he can do whatever he wants. This is particularly the case when Ian is unable to help him realize the error of his ways. Considering that the police know Ryan from a series of indiscretionary acts, including stealing, lying, and and truancy, a measure of guidance would have helped him avoid getting into the much bigger trouble of engaging in sexual assault. It is also obvious that Ryan is unable to empathize with others. Having been through so much family turmoil himself, he may unconsciously have come to internalize the notion of struggle as a norm. Ｂｏｕｎｄａｒｉｅｓ Ryan has not properly learned to understand boundaries. Claiming that the girl that was sexually assaulted would not know the difference one way or another because she was drunk showed that he did not have a healthy respect for limits. According to Christian (2006), “Boundaries relate to limits, togetherness, and separateness-what or who is "in" or "out of" the family (Walsh & Giblin 1988). Some families are open to new people, information, and ideas. Family members tend to be independent and able to make decisions on their own. They value separateness and autonomy over a sense of belonging. Each person's identity is encouraged and respected” ( ). And this also means not violating other people’s space without permission. It must be noted that even though Ryan was young when it happened, his father had been caught sleeping with Linda’s best friend, a classic violation of boundaries and limits. Even though the best friend might seem like a part of the family, the fact that Antonio was married to Linda clearly put that best friend off limits to him. And yet, Antonio did not respect that boundary. Having grown up in an environment of that sort, it seems that Ryan has also not learned how to properly respect other people’s boundaries. Living on the farm with the grandparents might do him a world of good. This assumes that the grandparents will not be so permissive that Ryan would not have the chance to cultivate a sense of limits between himself and others. Roles When Ryan was younger he was familiar with a structure in which his father worked. Even though Linda also worked, this was only part-time. This meant that the roles of leadership in the family were somewhat clear, except that Antonio made a huge mistake of getting involved with his wife's best friend. In the current situation, however, Ian is unemployed and does not provide a good role model for Ryan. Linda, rather, has to work full time and not at a job that commands a decent income. The family is on perpetually on the brink of collapose and Ian, who is supposed to provide leadership, ends up behaving like a child by becoming drunk at Ryan's birthday party. Having the opportunity to assume a responsible role in life, even if it means handling small chores, here and there, could be good for Ryan. The grandparents' home, to some extent, offers a measure of stability but there is no indication that he gets the opportunity to visit them a lot and to learn from them. Linda's taking of advice from her parents is a good thing. Asking the advice of elderly people in the family can make them feel a part of Linda's life and the opportunity for different generations to connect is a positive one. Ryan's earlier separation from his father was unplanned; it came somewhat unexpectedly. Acting up by Ryan may also be an effort to assert his independence especially when he thinks that no one really cares about him. Perhaps, he gets attention only when he does something terrible, thus bringing everyone - father, mother, social workers, the courts, into a frequency of activity. The Personal Authority element of family theory notes that PAFS (Personal Authority in the Family System) is a particular stage that is at once individual and family oriented. "The focal developmental task of this stage is the renegotiation and termination of the hierarchical power boundary between the young adult and parents (Williamson, 1991). The construct of PAFS is an extension of Bowen's concept of differentiation of self. Differentiation emphasizes the distinction between emotional and intellectual process and one's ability to manage individuality and togetherness within a relationship system (Kerr & Bowen; cited in　Lawson and Brossard 2004). Melissa and early sexual behaviour Structure The period of adolescence is a time when a person seeks to develop his or her own identity. But what exactly is identity? As Perosa et al (1996) note, "Identity refers to a person's stable, coherent, and integrated sense of self; that is, who one is and what one stands for as a member of society" (Erikson, 1968). As long as Melissa had a clear cut relationship with her father and mother in which she got the nurturing she deserved as a child, she would have been able to operate within the structure of the family even though it is far from being a perfect one. Her fast development, including her sexual development, also began to open up new avenues but without a strong family structure she could not handle the pressure and had to succumb to it, even embrace it. According to Erikson (1968), adolescence is a distinct life stage in which the complex interplay of psychological, social, historical, and developmental forces propel the individual to search for and consolidate a purposeful sense of self. Resolution of this crisis or struggle for self-integration is the achievement of a sense of identity; failure leads to a sense of confusion about who one is and an inability to commit to values when faced with choices in occupations, intimate relationships, and an ideological worldview. (Perosa et al. 1996) Melissa had been very close to her father, which might provide her with some sense of stability in her life. Not seeing her father as often as soon as she used to may be a sign that the relationship is becoming disengaged. It does not help that when she is with her mother, the focus tends away from Melissa’s own needs and rather focuses on those of Ryan. Such a state of affairs is unlikely to help Melissa to feel that she is valued in her own right by her mother. And this might drive her all the more to seek a sense of validation from her older boyfriend who can function in the role of a father figure for her. It is not a good sign, according to Minuchin and Nichols (1993, p. 121) when a “mother’s closeness to her children substitutes for closeness in the marriage” (Rothbaum 2002). In fact, Linda is no longer married and the fact that her relationship with Ian, her boyfriend, is lacking in both financial and emotional stability poses a threat to helping Melissa regain a sense of confidence and self. Role The ways in which families, as systems, behave is governed by various covert rules, which may include boundaries between generations in terms of status and power. "Adaptive family functioning is compromised when boundaries become closed or rigid (disengaged) on one hand so that individuals feel isolated, or diffuse (enmeshed) on the other, so that although members feel close to each other, differentiated behaviors and cognitions are not allowed. The risk is greatest when discord exists in the marital dyad, tempting a parent to enlist the support of the child against the other parent (a parent-child coalition) or encouraging both parents to compete for the loyalty of the child (triangulation)" (Perosa et al. 1996). This seems to be the case as Ryan's problems have become the uniting factor for the parents. As important as it is to ensure that they do what they can to help Ryan it should not be at the expense of other family members feeling neglected or uncared for. As Perosa et al note, "The late adolescent's involvement in these rigid patterns keeps him or her emotionally and psychologically bound to the family in unhealthy ways which impede the separation-individuation process" (Perosa et al. 1996). Melissa’s behavior, which includes getting into a sexual relationship, for which she has informed an aunt, may be meant to draw attention to herself and to get the parents to focus on her and her needs. While Linda Jackson and Antonio Romano are not currently feuding with each other, it seems that they are in their own worlds and that they have preoccupations that make it difficult for them to focus intently on the needs of each of their children. As Rothbaum et al. note, “Research by family systems theorists indicates that children of conflicting partners may sometimes become ill or develop an emotional problem so as to stabilize the marital dyad by bringing the parents together to look after the child” (e.g., Minuchin, Rosman, & Baker, 1978; Rothbaum ). If the parents had some arrangement by which they got the family together, the family might feel a sense of togetherness, much as Pauline and her husband and their three children might be living. It would be a good idea then, if Linda takes her sister up on her offer to take in Melissa and Ben. Melissa would benefit from living in an environment with better structure and would have the benefit of seeing an example of a healthy marriage which might inform her own choices in the future. Linda needs some time to focus on herself as well. Having to work as a waitress and having to take care of the two small children is taxing indeed. In addition to the offer from her sister, Pauline, if Linda had the opportunity to place Stacey, the youngest in specialized day care centre, that would free her a bit. The fact that the youngest child might have health issues also means that Linda probably needs more help than she has been able to access. If Linda fears that she might be judged incompetent and might therefore lose one or more of her children, she might refrain from accessing government services that might be of benefit to her. The motivation might be for the betterment of the child in question but it could lead to other ancillary benefits for Linda’s older children such as Melissa. Conclusion Ryan and Melissa have not been dealt the best cards. Some of their problems stem from the family structure within which they have grown up. This cannot be used as an excuse, however, because there are many other positive elements that can help them pull out successfully. The parents will have to make an effort and it seems that Linda, by listening to her parents, has taken an important step in the right direction. She may take them up on their offer so that she moves in with them or she could allow Ryan to go and live with his grandparents while Melissa goes to live with her sister. If Linda chooses to stay with Ian, she will need to seek some assistance in her job search or for Ian to get himself a job. If there is better structure on the home front and the family does not have to worry inordinately about issues of survival, there is a possibility that they can become well knit as a family again. For now, though, the family needs a bit of a break, and it seems that the grandparents and Linda's sister offer lifelines for which Linda would be wise to take advantage of. Bibliography Anderson, Harlene. Jan 1999. Reimagining family therapy: Reflections on Minuchin's invisible family. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 25.1, 1. Christian, Linda Garris. Jan 2006. Understanding Families: Applying Family Systems Theory to Early Childhood Practice. YC Young Children, 61.1, 12. Gutman, Horta. 2002. The Epigenesis of the family system as a context for individual development. Family Process, 41.3, 533. Hill, Jonathan et al. Summer 2003. The ecology of attachment in the family. Family Process, 42.2, 205. Lawson, David M & Brossart, Daniel F. 2004 Sep. The Developmental Course of Personal Authority in the Family System. Family Process, 43.3, 391. McCurdy, Karen & Daro, Deborah. Apr 2001. Parent involvement in family support programs: An integrated theory. Family Relations, 50.2, 113. Minuchin, Salvador. Jan 1999. Retelling, reimagining, and re-searching: A continuing conversation. Family Therapy, 25.1, 9. Perosa, Linda M,, Perosa, Sandra L, Tam, Hak Ping. Dec 1996. The contribution of family structure and differentiation to identity development in females. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25.6, 817. Rothbaum, Fred et al. 2002. Family systems theory, attachment theory, and culture. Family Process, 41.3, 328. Read More

The family is on perpetually on the brink of collapose and Ian, who is supposed to provide leadership, ends up behaving like a child by becoming drunk at Ryan's birthday party. Having the opportunity to assume a responsible role in life, even if it means handling small chores, here and there, could be good for Ryan. The grandparents' home, to some extent, offers a measure of stability but there is no indication that he gets the opportunity to visit them a lot and to learn from them. Linda's taking of advice from her parents is a good thing.

Asking the advice of elderly people in the family can make them feel a part of Linda's life and the opportunity for different generations to connect is a positive one. Ryan's earlier separation from his father was unplanned; it came somewhat unexpectedly. Acting up by Ryan may also be an effort to assert his independence especially when he thinks that no one really cares about him. Perhaps, he gets attention only when he does something terrible, thus bringing everyone - father, mother, social workers, the courts, into a frequency of activity.

The Personal Authority element of family theory notes that PAFS (Personal Authority in the Family System) is a particular stage that is at once individual and family oriented. "The focal developmental task of this stage is the renegotiation and termination of the hierarchical power boundary between the young adult and parents (Williamson, 1991). The construct of PAFS is an extension of Bowen's concept of differentiation of self. Differentiation emphasizes the distinction between emotional and intellectual process and one's ability to manage individuality and togetherness within a relationship system (Kerr & Bowen; cited in　Lawson and Brossard 2004).

Melissa and early sexual behaviour Structure The period of adolescence is a time when a person seeks to develop his or her own identity. But what exactly is identity? As Perosa et al (1996) note, "Identity refers to a person's stable, coherent, and integrated sense of self; that is, who one is and what one stands for as a member of society" (Erikson, 1968). As long as Melissa had a clear cut relationship with her father and mother in which she got the nurturing she deserved as a child, she would have been able to operate within the structure of the family even though it is far from being a perfect one.

Her fast development, including her sexual development, also began to open up new avenues but without a strong family structure she could not handle the pressure and had to succumb to it, even embrace it. According to Erikson (1968), adolescence is a distinct life stage in which the complex interplay of psychological, social, historical, and developmental forces propel the individual to search for and consolidate a purposeful sense of self. Resolution of this crisis or struggle for self-integration is the achievement of a sense of identity; failure leads to a sense of confusion about who one is and an inability to commit to values when faced with choices in occupations, intimate relationships, and an ideological worldview.

(Perosa et al. 1996) Melissa had been very close to her father, which might provide her with some sense of stability in her life. Not seeing her father as often as soon as she used to may be a sign that the relationship is becoming disengaged. It does not help that when she is with her mother, the focus tends away from Melissa’s own needs and rather focuses on those of Ryan. Such a state of affairs is unlikely to help Melissa to feel that she is valued in her own right by her mother. And this might drive her all the more to seek a sense of validation from her older boyfriend who can function in the role of a father figure for her.

It is not a good sign, according to Minuchin and Nichols (1993, p. 121) when a “mother’s closeness to her children substitutes for closeness in the marriage” (Rothbaum 2002). In fact, Linda is no longer married and the fact that her relationship with Ian, her boyfriend, is lacking in both financial and emotional stability poses a threat to helping Melissa regain a sense of confidence and self.

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