1. Rituals “The pattern one knows is the pattern one knows.” Gus Napier

2. Definitions of Ritual Rituals are co-evolved symbolic acts that include not only the ceremonial aspects of the actual presentation of the ritual, but the process of preparing for it as well. It may or may not include words, but does have both open and closed parts which are “held” together by a guiding metaphor. Repetition can be a part of rituals through either the content, the form, or the occasion. (Imber-Black et al., 1988, p. 8)

3. A family ritual is a symbolic form of communication that, because of the satisfaction that family members experience through its repetition, is acted out in a systematic fashion over time. Through their special meaning and repetitive nature, rituals can contribute significantly to the establishment and preservation of a family's collective sense of itself, which we call the 'family identity'. (Bennett, L. A., Wolin, S. J., & Reiss, D., 1988, p. 825).

4. Functions of Rituals Frameworks of expectancy Mark and make a transition (e.g., weddings) Incorporate both sides of contradictions (weddings loss/gain, funerals sadness/celebration Support and containment for strong emotions Facilitate social coordination among individuals, families, and communities, and among past, present, and future

5. Five Ritual Themes Membership Healing Identity Belief expression and negotiation Celebration

6. Family Rituals: Research Evidence Those families whose rituals were consistently subsumed (disrupted) by the alcoholism were significantly more likely to transmit alcoholism to the next generation than were families who kept their family rituals distinct from the alcoholism. Transmission of the alcoholism to the next generation is defined as either becoming an alcoholic or marrying an alcoholic.

7. Family Dinner Research Adolescents with: 2 or Less Family Dinners per Week more than twice as likely to have tried cigarettes one and a half times likelier to have tried alcohol twice as likely to have tried marijuana (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, 2006).

8. Parents with: 3 or Less Family Dinners per Week five times likelier to have fair or poor relationships with their teens one and a half times likelier to not know the parents of their teens’ friends more than twice as likely to say they do not know the names of their teens’ teachers