1. Dysfunctional Families
Most dysfunctional families are a direct outgrowth of TROUBLED PARENTS.

2. Troubled parents may: Have addictions Use physical violence
May be unable to provide
Exploit children (use them as possessions, use strong authoritarian control)

3. Regardless of the parents’ intentions, children may suffer:
Depression
Live troubled lives
By withdrawing from society
Have low self-esteem

4. Abusive Parents
1. Physical- satisfying their emotions by taking their anger out on their children, by not correcting their children, by using little effort to control their children.

5. 2. Sexual –Contact between an adult and child that must be kept secret.

6. 3. Verbal – Frequent belittling or criticism, using profanity toward their children, verbally abusing them instead of their actions.

7. Roles in a Dysfunctional Family
Addict-a family member that is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, porn, work, etc. to the point of disrupting the family.
Enabler-a family member that allows the addict to continue their addiction; excuses, ignoring the problem, denial, etc.

8. Family Hero Child: “9 going on 40” Takes over parent role, early
Responsible
Self-sufficient
Looks good on the outside
Good student, good in sports, prom queen, etc
Make parents look good

9. Family Hero Adult: Controlling, judgmental, compulsive, driven
“Success” on the outside
Cut off from their inner emotional life
Hard time admitting that there is anything that needs to be healed.

10. Scapegoat (Child) Family feels ashamed of
Acts out the tension the family ignores
Provides distractions from real issues
Has trouble in school
Becomes pregnant or addicted as teenagers

11. Scapegoat (Adult) Become cynical and distrustful
Have a lot of self-hatred
Can be very self-destructive
Usually first to get help

12. Lost Child (Child) Attempts to be invisible
Daydream, fantasize, read a lot, watch TV
Deal with reality by withdrawing from it
Deny they have feelings
Don’t bother getting upset

13. Lost Child (Adult) Unable to feel Low self-esteem
Terrified of intimacy
Relationship phobia
Withdrawn, shy, socially isolated

14. Mascot/Family Clown (Child)
Takes responsibility for emotional well-being of family
“Social” director/clown
Diverts family’s attention from the pain and anger

15. Mascot/Family Clown (Adult)
Valued for kind heart, generosity, ability to listen to others
Whole self is centered on others
Don’t get their own needs met
Cannot receive love only give it
Work in “helping” professions to overcome
Have low self worth and guilt and to overcome, work hard to be nice