Families, Transitions & Attachments Essay

A. OverviewFamilies are interesting and challenging to both teach and research because of their variability and proposing new theories and conclusions derived from the thousands of experiences. By trying to centralize an ideology or spirit of ones unique family, it becomes challenging to interpret or draw a universal conclusion or pattern of behavior that causes certain things throughout the other family unit. * What are the ways in which the relationship among Angela and her father has changed from childhood to adolescence? * Emotionally distant nor physically close or affectionate * Uses a different tone with her fathersilent contempt * Envious of the mutual adoring relationship her father shares with her younger sister * When someone compliments your parents its like nothing to say. Angela * Gives her Dad the cold shoulder and unappreciative* Quick to criticize and judge himB. Family Life Cycles1) John Hill- described a systems perspective on adolescent development * In order t o understand the changes in an adolescent, one must observe the parent changes, too * Parents are going through lay age dealing with more than responsibility at work, making them more stressed and distracted * Parents are facing the end of the child-bearing years* As kids march on adolescence and gains all these cognitive capacities, they become a force within the family (i.e. a new roommate or adult moving into the family) causing a convey for adjustment, thus dramatically changing the family system 2) Beyond storm and stress* Not universal * Most adolescents do not go through this ardent period of storm and stress a good relationship with the emerging adolescent between their parent can lessen the intensity * More nerve-wracking for parent b/c theyve invested so much time and energy into their child to then let it lead to conflict and arguments * With age and a adolescents unlikeliness to just go along with what theyre told illicit more persistent and louder conflict (i.e. temper tantrum of an 8-year-old and a 15-year-old is completely more storm and stress at different ages) C. Adolescent Autonomy and Relatedness (Initial Overview)1) Seesaw Model* There needs to be a healthy balance between autonomy and relatedness (or dependence) relationship with parents and friends 2) Multi-dimensional Mode * Theres connection and individuality coexisting when the two arent in opposition with one another D. Goals of extension Theory1) Beyond Loving Parents* Problem with this statement every parents loves their children no matter the circumstances or their treatment towards them, therefore love isnt tolerable 2) Everyone (almost) gets attached Humans are hardwired to get attached to other people/mammals (due to our long period of gestation out of all the species) * Not everyone who is attached is hard attached think of three different types of attachment and basis on the childs needs vs. the parents needs 3) Assessment, Correlates & Predictions Can predict pop ularity, success in romantic relationships, and attachment type when you experience your own child