Allyn and Bacon, 2007. Social Problems in A Diverse Society, 4th Edition. Diana Kend - Essay Example

Family Dynamics July 17, Word Count: 583 Family Dynamics Though each family sees its own array of problems and situations, there are five major issues that seem to be the most common, which are as follows: teenage pregnancies, divorce, custody battles, alcohol-induced violence, and financial turmoil. Teenage pregnancies have become almost a fashion statement with this generation, with more females dropping out of school due to these young, unplanned pregnancies. Divorce is yet another issue, as statistics have shown that roughly fifty percent of all marriages will end in divorce, thus ripping families apart; this leads to custody battles, especially where young children are involved, as each parent deems themselves capable of taking care of their children, though not wanting to relent care to the other.

Alcohol-induced violence has also become a common occurrence as more people are turning to alcohol to lessen their problems. To tie them all together is financial turmoil, which can also be seen as one of the greater causes of the aforementioned issues that families often face. Many people believe that family dynamics hardly exist today as peoples’ lives become more shrouded with secrecy and trouble. Especially in homes that are experiencing the previously mentioned issues, family dynamics are practically nonexistent.

How family members relate to one another is important, becoming something that determines how the family is capable of holding up during times of crisis and strife. To alter or change the current typical family dynamics, families need to aim at spending more time with each other, and to make it a daily task to see how everyone is doing. If individual family members can show that they are willing to become close with their other family members, making attempts at relating to each other, then others will slowly open up as well.

Family dinners, outings that involve the entire family participating in something together, or even just finding a few minutes to talk to each other everyday can make a world full of difference in the dynamics of a family. They cannot hope to relate to each other unless they try to make attempts at understanding each other first. The major consequence of family issues and a lack of family dynamics is that families can be easily torn apart, though each family will have its own reasons for having done so.

This can lead to estranged family members, further issues, and a major lack of foundation. In this day and age, family is all that most people have to rely on, so it would be unwise to shunt those people aside. A family with good dynamics can overcome anything together, and it is not difficult to build dynamics in a family that does not have them. Issues such as out-of-wedlock births, divorces, and violence should be addressed with caution, and from both families and outside sources that can be helpful during these times, such as therapists or, in cases of violence, police and medical forces.

In regard to the family, when one family member is going through a crisis, so is the rest of the family, even if they are not directly involved. Family members that are able to come to each other’s aid are often used to being there for one another; it also strengths the dynamics and closeness of that family. These issues should not be taken lightly, and should therefore be displayed and opened up for the entire family, so that the person in the center of it all can get the care and attention that they need.