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HDFS 2300- Family Identity- Ch. #1 Notes.docx

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Family Identity
Three interrelated identity tasks that families must execute:
1. Constructing family themes
2. Socializing family members with respect to biological and social issues
3. Establishing a satisfactory congruence of images within the family, personal identities, roles.
Family Themes - The elements of the family experience that become organizing principles for
family life, including both conscious and unconscious elements as well as intellectual and
emotional aspects.
o Purpose: To provide a framework for meaning, shape identity, define roles.
o Family themes come from: Family history, ethnic origins, religious beliefs, emotional issues/choice
o Themes affect subsequent behaviors: Positive or negative; govern future intentions and actions.
o Direct the flow of resources: i.e. – Time, energy, and money contributed toward education.
o Create an emotional climate: The theme of perfection can result in family members experiencing
shame and guilt when this ideal is not achieved.
The selection of particular themes may also represent the family’s strategy for attempting to control
how others perceive the family (Ex. we are intellectually superior, brave, and serve the needy).
Themes passed down from generations:
o Ethnic origin = Italians appreciate food and celebration.
o Religious beliefs = humility or respect for authority.
o Long standing traditions or values (Kennedy Family – passion for political involvement)
o Unresolved past family issues = abandonment, rejection, sacrifice, helplessness.
Personal Images and Identity
Evolve within the family system consistent with themes.
Influenced by our perception of how others see us and how we compare ourselves to others.
Examples of Identity Strategies
Encourage individual family members to feel good about themselves.
Make yourself feel better at another's expense.
Boys behave in a masterful way and take on challenges.
Girls value social skills and nurture, pride physical attributes/appearance.
Parents attempt to live through their child and control their identity.
Socializing Family Members
Family systems provide important socialization experiences
Performed through on-going interactions
Bi-directional
Family Roles
Expectations of each family member.
The most basic types of roles are “father,” “mother,” “aunt,” “daughter,” “son,” “grandmother."
For example, one person may be the “clown” of the family; the “responsible one”; the
“emotional one.”
Control
How much a family tries to control the identity of a member varies.
Do family members have the freedom to develop their own identities based on their own

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strengths and potentials or are they constrained by expectations that require them to develop a
particular identity that does not fit with who they really are and all they can achieve?
This is how a dysfunctional role can form in a family.
This is also when parents may try to live vicariously through their children and control their
identity to be what they always wanted to be.
Personal Identity vs. Roles
Healthy families have different personalities and skills that work together to meet the family
task of identity.
Dysfunctional families have one certain script or role for each family member to meet the
identity task even if it may not be their entire identity it becomes their label.
Dysfunctional Roles
1. The Do-er – conducts all maintenance tasks, often taken advantage of, driven by guilt and an
overdeveloped sense of responsibility.
2. The Enabler – covers for everyone, often meets their needs without being asked, including the
self-destructive necessities of other members of the family, peacemaker, avoids conflict at all
costs.
3. The Loner – meets needs for autonomy by escaping issues.
4. The Hero – accepts the responsibility for decreasing tension in the family by excelling in
activities that focus the family's attention on the positive; self-esteem.
5. The Mascot companionable and entertaining, creates the illusion of family peace. Provides
comic relief, true feelings never get expressed.
6. The Scapegoat – assumes the blame for all family dysfunction, black sheep figure.
7. Dad’s Little Princess / Mom’s Little Princea little spouse, child becomes a parent because the
adult cannot meet their needs in other adult relationships; poor boundaries established.
Establishing a Congruence of Identities and Beliefs
Shared views that family members have of one another.
If identity within a family is congruent, it facilitates interaction.
No congruence can lead to fixed roles in a family and each person has needs that go unmet.
Family myths occur if ideals are not congruent with outside views.
o Based on expectations and experience.
o Influenced by trans-generational memories and stories.
o Myths arise when a family holds an image of itself that does not match with that of
outsiders: EXAMPLE: A school system's intervention attempts are resisted by the "self-
sufficient" family – results in distance between child and school.
Family Ideology
Focuses on cognitive and intellectual aspects of the family system – attitudes, beliefs, values.
The body or group of ideas that exist in a group, society, or social movement.
o Level I Ideology
Surface level, content discussions in family.
Example – family rules; behavioral actions.
o Level II Ideology
Intermediate levels of abstraction.

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Family Identity Three interrelated identity tasks that families must execute: 1. Constructing?family themes 2. Socializing family members?with respect to biological and social issues 3. Establishing a satisfactory?congruence of images?within the family, personal identities, roles. Family Themes - The elements of the family experience that become organizing principles for family life, including both conscious and unconscious elements as well as intellectual and emotional aspects. Purpose: To provide a framework for meaning, shape identity, define roles. Family themes come from: Family history, ethnic origins, religious beliefs, emotional issues/choice Themes affect subsequent behaviors: Positive or negative; govern future intentions and actions. Direct the flow of resources: i.e. - Time, energy, and money contributed toward education. Create an emotional climate: The theme of perfection ...
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