Dysfunctional Families

Dysfunctional Family Defined Members relate to one another in destructive and irresponsible ways A family that lacks the skills to be successful and function in healthful ways A family in which conflict, misbehavior and even abuse on the part of individual members of the family occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions.

What are the characteristics of a dysfunctional family?

Dysfunctional Family Characteristics Chemical Dependence Other addictions Perfectionism Violence Abuse Abandonment These are SOME aspects of a dysfunctional family With bad qualities like these, families can deteriorate and children can crumble with them

Chemical Dependence Obtain and use drugs Children have a higher risk of becoming a drug user What can drug use lead to in a family? Children and parents Cause changes in thinking and behaving More violence More sexual abuse Why do you think that children are at higher risk to become a drug user

Other Addictions Eating disorders Exercise Gambling Shopping Television Thrill-seeking Work-a-holism Perfectionism Ask the students how some of these addictions might not seem like an addiction but can hurt the family members Can they think of any more?

Perfectionism Parents are overly critical of themselves and their children Children feel inadequate and insecure Behavior is self-destructive and harms relationships You can become a perfectionist too Do you feel pressure from your parents? What types of behaviors can pressure from your parents lead to?

Violence Controlling Keep peace by avoiding disagreements Between violence, family member may be kind, gentle, and apologetic Thus, children blame themselves—NOT YOUR FAULT At risk of becoming juvenile offenders Have you (as JMU college students) experienced during student teaching, students who show any signs of violence in the home? Examples? What should you do if you suspect a friend or student is being abused?

Abuse What are some types of abuse? Controlling and moody Children are afraid and confused Want to feel loved Deny feelings about abuse Cover up abuse Blame self Believe they deserve to be abuse YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE ABUSED. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT! What are different types of abuse? Sexual, emotional, physical

Abandonment Absence can cause pain, suffering, confusion Difficult getting close to others Push away others Can be overly needy What do you think of when you think of abandonment?

Effects on Other Family Members How do you think other family members feel in a dysfunctional family? How does this affect them later on in their life? Dysfunctional family members have common symptoms and behavior patterns as a result of their common experiences within the family structure. This tends to reinforce the dysfunctional behavior, either through enabling or perpetuation. The family unit can be affected by a variety of factors. Children growing up in a dysfunctional family have been known to adopt one or more of six basic roles:[3] "The Good Child" – a child who assumes the parental role. "The Problem Child" – the child who is blamed for most problems and can also be responsible for the family's dysfunction, in spite of often being the only emotionally stable one in the family. "The Caretaker" – the one who takes responsibility for the emotional well-being of the family. "The Lost Child" – the inconspicuous, quiet one, whose needs are often ignored or hidden. "The Mascot" – uses comedy to divert attention away from the increasingly dysfunctional family system. "The Mastermind" – the opportunist who capitalizes on the other family members' faults in order to get whatever he or she wants. They may also: think only of themselves to make up the difference of their childhoods. They're still learning the balance of self-love distrust others have difficulty expressing emotions have low self-esteem or have a poor self image have difficulty forming healthy relationships with others feel angry, anxious, depressed, isolated from others, or unlovable perpetuate dysfunctional behaviors in their other relationships (especially their children) lack the ability to be playful, or childlike, and may "grow up too fast"; conversely they may grow up too slowly, or even be in a mixed mode (i.e. well disciplined, but unable to care for themselves) often learn to live far away from their families.

Healthy Families What are characteristics of healthy families?

Who’s That Family? Complete the Who’s That Family worksheet! Pg. 3