Ch 8: Families

Question 1

What did Freud say about adolescence and families, and what has been the result of his teaching?

Answer 1

“Conflict is inevitable, intense, and necessary.”

This mindset leads parents to expect conflict as normal

Question 2

What is the correlation between relationship with parents and conflict?

Answer 2

AD who are close to parents –> moderate amount of conflict

AD who are not close to parents/poorly adjusted –> no conflict or lots of conflict

Question 3

What is meant by “transformation of power”?

Answer 3

The relationship between adolescents and parents is “renegotiated” as ADs age

Parents gradually grant independence to their AD

Question 4

Two tips for parenting AD

Answer 4

1) Avoid extremes (smothering them/becoming detached)

2) Be more rule-based with 12-yr-olds than 18-yr-olds

Question 5

How do arguments change over early to late adolescence?

Answer 5

Early and mid-adolescents:
Occur over everyday items (curfew, clothes, visiting grandparents, etc.)

Late adolescence:
Occur over more important issues (premarital sex, cohabitation, university vs. no university, etc.)

Question 6

What are the two models of sibling-adolescent relationships?

Answer 6

The Confluence Model: the number of siblings we have impacts our IQ, academic success, and vocational achievements.

The Resource Dilution Model: parental resources (time, money) are important, and the more children, the more persons among whom resources have to be divided.

Question 7

The Only Child

Answer 7

“Only child syndrome” –stereotype: spoiled, selfish, impatient, etc.

Research does not support the stereotype: only children have higher IQ, better grades, better jobs, and are more socially skilled.

Question 8

Disadvantages of being an Only Child

Answer 8

• High parental expectations
• 3-person family results in 2-against-1 scenarios
• Adolescents are aware of the stereotype that exists in being an only children
• Less competitive
• Concern over future care of aging parents (full responsibility will fall to them)

Question 9

What is the function of the “sibling” for ADs?

Answer 9

• Giver of advice
• Companion
• Helper
• Support
• Protector

Question 10

How does relationships with siblings change during AD?

Answer 10

More egalitarian (equal, same level)

Less emotionally intense

Less conflictual

Question 11

Are siblings more similar or different?

Answer 11

Children living in the same household are more likely to be different than alike (especially in terms of negative characteristics and behaviours)

Question 12

Why are siblings so different?

Answer 12

• Genetics
• Environments are different (and siblings perceive them as different)

Question 13

Treating Siblings Differently

Answer 13

Parents admit they treat siblings differently

Leads to jealousy, anger, and conflict—siblings are sensitive to differential treatment

Question 14

Does unequal treatment ever NOT lead to problems?

Answer 14

Yes— if it is the result of a difference in needs.

Question 15

AD Behaviours Learned from Dads

Answer 15

• Self-reliance
• Assertiveness
• Self-discipline/self-control

Question 16

Fathers and Daughters

Answer 16

• Dad’s impact can be just as significant as Mom’s
• Not as close during childhood
• Dad’s attitude about gender roles greatly affects his daughter

Question 17

Fathers and Sons

Answer 17

• Impact on vocational development
• Helps control the boy’s aggressive impulses
• Absence of father leads to exaggerated notions of masculinity (extreme aggression, abusive behaviour)
• Greater concern for boys without fathers than girls without mothers

Question 18

What leads to conflict between fathers and sons?

Answer 18

Time spent together

Fathers not as conciliatory as mothers

Father jealous of son’s youth

Son wants father’s approval and becomes angry when he doesn’t get it

Competition with father boosts son’s self-confidence and self-reliance

Arguments

Oedipus Complex resurfaces?

Question 19

How does a mother influence an AD?

Answer 19

Moms determine an adolescent’s explanatory style (pessimistic or optimistic)

Psychological health influences AD psychological health

Moms influences the way ADs think and behave towards other people

Question 20

Mothers and Sons

Answer 20

Mothers influence son’s development of:

• Social maturity
• Self reliance
• Individuation
• Psychological well-being

Question 21

Mothers and Daughters

Answer 21

Mothers influence their daughters in these areas:

• Vocational development
• Sexuality and physical self-confidence

Question 22

What leads to conflict between mothers and daughters?

Answer 22

Time spent together

Daughter trying to become more independent

Mother is jealous of her daughter’s youth

Each sees herself as “a reflection of the other”

Conflict if daughter sees herself being treated differently than her brothers

Daughter may feel ashamed of mother

Question 23

What do adopted ADs tend to do during conflict with parents?

Answer 23

Fantasize about their biological parents (“foundling fantasy”)

Question 24

Are adopted adolescents at higher risk for psychological, educational, or behavioural problems?

Answer 24

The results are contradictory:

Problems are more likely if the adolescent was adopted as an older child or adolescent

Problems are less likely if the adolescent was adopted as a child or adopted by a family member (e.g., an aunt).

Question 25

What are some struggles that adopted ADs experience?

Answer 25

• Feeling rejected
• Questioning the reason for adoption
• More difficult search for identity
• Concerns about genetic illnesses/siblings
• Whether/how to find biological parents