Definition of a Dysfunctional Family

In my research of the topic, ‘dysfunctional family’, many articles come up in the ways of what a dysfunctional family comprises of. There are many factors involved, the different relationships between members of the family, the subsystems that are in control, the transactions that are made in the family’s structure, and the feelings and emotions that the members experience individually and as a family. The family structural theory can definitely be used to determine whether or not a family is dysfunctional. Many factors, when combined, are able to determine this conclusion. However, we must first define what a functional family means.

According to Salvador Minuchin, the family structural theory focuses on the family as a unit and how each member interacts and relate to one another. Along those lines, the family members belong to subsystems within the family: the husband and wife—spousal, parental—the relationship between the parents and the children, and siblings’ relationship (Vetere, 2001). In a family, there is also a structure of how the family functions and there are also boundaries that are identifying factors to determine whether the family is healthy and functional, or not. And, when those boundaries are crossed between the members and the subsystems leading to the breaking of the family structure, these anomalies result in a dysfunctional family (Connell, 2010).

Dysfunctional families come in all sizes, shapes and forms. When one factor is lacking, absent, or misconstrued out of the main premises of the family structural theory: structure, subsystems, and boundaries, the family is then identified as being dysfunctional (Connell, 2010). For instance, in my personal situation, currently, I am not communicating with my sisters due to the fact that they have disrespected my immediate family in a distorting manner that even authorities have questioned what possessed for them to behave in such ill manner and disrespect. They have humiliated my husband and me through the process, and had the audacity to involve my 8-year-old daughter through all of their misbehaviors and name-calling. Therefore, I have chosen to not communicate with them or allow for my daughter to visit with them because of the negative influences that they have on my daughter and our family. This is an example of a dysfunctional extended family. And this is not a recent case that happened just last year, but the dysfunctional part of it has built up and accumulated over time.  It is a dysfunction that derives from siblings’ rivalry from when we were children. My parents are fully aware of this dysfunction, and even when we were children, they knew it was not a normal thing. However, they have failed to find ways to resolve the issues between the siblings. There were not any consequences for my sister for when she routinely, physically abused me. All that my parents said to me was, “If you don’t want to get beaten, then you shouldn’t be around her!” That was it! No justification or punishment. No structure or consequences. Boundaries were crossed, but my sister was never told that she crossed the lines. Therefore, this extended family of mine will continue to be dysfunctional if all members refuse to resolve the ongoing issues. And the most ironic fact of this matter is, both of my sisters are social workers with a master’s degree working with abused children in the community. This is just one example of a dysfunctional family. Not to mention, the influences of the Cambodian culture amongst my parents and the fact that they are uneducated as to how to resolve the issues within the family.

Therefore, as nurses of the community, when the opportunity is appropriate, we must assess the family’s functionalities. We need to be cognizant of any issues that members of the family face; we need to be able to identify them, and coordinate a plan of action to proactively work towards a healthy, functional family. Because when a family is functional, the derivatives of that family, in other words, members from that family is able to contribute positively, so to people in this society. These individuals shall carry their values and perspectives of a healthy family and be able to relate that kind of healthy relationship to others in this society. To say the least, I am a bit leery of how my sisters counsel families in the community when they personally, are unable to define a functional family and what it takes to be of a functional family.

References

Connell, C. (2010) Multicultural perspectives and considerations within structural family therapy: The premises of structure, subsystems, and boundaries. InSight: River Academic Journal 2(6). Retrieved from http://www.rivier.edu/journal/ROAJ-Fall-2010/J461-Connelle-Multicultural-Perspectives.pdf

Vetere, A. (2001). Structural family therapy. Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 6(3), 133-139. doi:10.1111/1475-3588.00336