Blog - Family Genogram

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Sociology

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Nov 24, 2024

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docx

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1 Family Genogram Introduction A family genogram is a visual representation of a family tree that provides information about family relationships, history, and patterns of behavior. It can be used to identify significant alliances and conflicts among family members, as well as to gain insight into family dynamics and systems. In this paper, I will create a family genogram that includes three generations of my family, identify significant alliances among the various members, describe the relationship I had as a child with each person, and my relationship with each member now. I will also discuss two family systems theories to support the dynamics of the family genogram. Family Genogram My family genogram includes three generations of my family, starting with my grandparents on both sides of my family, my parents, my siblings, and me. The following diagram shows the genogram. Tom Father Jack 60 Brother Alex 26 David 24 Robert 55 Mary Sarah 52 Emily 28 Myself Jerry 30 William 54 John 85 Linda 83 Rachael 25 Samantha 22 Mother Carol 58 Susan 50
2 Key: Significant Alliances There are several significant alliances in my family. One significant alliance is between my mother and her siblings. They are very close and supportive of each other, and they often get together for family gatherings and celebrations. Another significant alliance is between my father and his parents. My father is the only child in his family, and he has a very close relationship with his parents. They are often involved in his life and are very supportive of him. Relationship as a Child My relationship with each family member varied when I was a child. I had a very close relationship with my mother. She was my primary caregiver, and we spent a lot of time together. She was very nurturing and supportive of me, and I felt very loved by her. I also had a good relationship with my father, but we did not spend as much time together. He was often busy with work, but he made sure to spend quality time with me when he could. I had a good relationship with my siblings, but we fought and argued like most siblings do. My relationship with my grandparents on my mother's side was very good. I saw them often and enjoyed spending time with them. They were very involved in my life and were always supportive of me. My relationship with my grandparents on my father's side was not as close. They lived far away, and I only saw them occasionally. I did not have a strong relationship with my aunts and uncles, as they did not live near us, and we did not see them often. Relationship Now My relationship with each family member has evolved over time. I still have a very close relationship with my mother, and we talk often. She is still very nurturing and supportive of me, and I feel very loved by her. My relationship with my father has also improved. We talk more 2 nd Generation 1 st Generation 3 rd Generation
3 often, and we have a better understanding of each other. I still have a good relationship with my siblings, but we do not see each other as often as we used to. My relationship with my grandparents on my mother's side has remained strong, but my relationship with my grandparents on my father's side has weakened. They are both in their nineties and are not as involved in my life as they used to be. I have a better relationship with my aunts and uncles now, as we have reconnected through social media and have started to see each other more often. Family Systems Theories Two family systems theories that support the dynamics of my family genogram are Bowen Family Systems Theory and Structural Family Therapy. Bowen Family Systems Theory Bowen Family Systems Theory is a theoretical framework that emphasizes the interconnectedness of family members and the impact of family systems on individual behavior. According to Bowen, families are complex systems that operate according to a set of rules and patterns (Calatravaet al., 2022). These patterns are passed down through generations and can influence the behavior of individual family members. Bowen's theory suggests that family members are interconnected, and changes in one member can impact the entire system. In my family genogram, we can see how the significant alliances among family members have impacted the behavior of individual family members. For example, the close relationship between my mother and her siblings may have influenced the way she interacts with her own children. Additionally, the close relationship between my father and his parents may have influenced his behavior as a parent. Bowen's theory also suggests that unresolved emotional issues from previous generations can be passed down to future generations (Bridge, 2019). In my family genogram, we can see how patterns of behavior have been passed down through generations. For example, my father's parents were very involved in his life, and this pattern may have influenced his behavior as a parent. Similarly, my mother's nurturing and supportive behavior may have been influenced by her relationship with her own parents.
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4 Structural Family Therapy Structural Family Therapy is a theoretical framework that focuses on the relationships and interactions between family members. According to this theory, families are organized into subsystems, such as parent-child, sibling, or spousal subsystems (Alexander & Robbins, 2019). These subsystems interact with each other to form the larger family system. In my family genogram, we can see how the different subsystems interact with each other. For example, my mother and father form the spousal subsystem, while my siblings and I form the sibling subsystem. These subsystems interact with each other to form the larger family system. Structural Family Therapy also suggests that family members have different roles within the family system. These roles can be functional, such as the role of a caregiver, or dysfunctional, such as the role of a scapegoat (Fisher et al., 2019). In my family genogram, we can see how different family members have taken on different roles within the family system. For example, my mother has taken on the role of the primary caregiver, while my father has taken on the role of the provider. Conclusion In conclusion, my family genogram has provided insight into the relationships, history, and patterns of behavior in my family. Significant alliances among family members, such as the close relationship between my mother and her siblings, have impacted individual behavior. My relationship with each family member has evolved over time, and I have a better understanding of the interconnectedness of family members. Two family systems theories, Bowen Family Systems Theory and Structural Family Therapy, support the dynamics of my family genogram. These theories emphasize the interconnectedness of family members, the impact of family systems on individual behavior, and the roles and interactions of family members within the family system. Overall, my family genogram has provided valuable insight into my family's history and dynamics and has helped me better understand the patterns of behavior that have been passed down through generations.
5 References Alexander, J. F., & Robbins, M. (2019). Functional family therapy. Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy , 1232-1240. BRİDGE, E. N. (2019). Review of a case study in light of Bowen theory: Differentiation of self. Yaşam Becerileri Psikoloji Dergisi , 3 (5), 65-72. Calatrava, M., Martins, M. V., Schweer-Collins, M., Duch-Ceballos, C., & Rodríguez-González, M. (2022). Differentiation of self: A scoping review of Bowen Family Systems Theory’s core construct. Clinical psychology review , 91 , 102101. Fisher, C. A., Skocic, S., Rutherford, K. A., & Hetrick, S. E. (2019). Family therapy approaches for anorexia nervosa. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , (5).