Family Relationships Flashcards
What is Family Systems Theory?
the family unit as a complex social system in which members interact to influence each other’s behavior
Data derived from exploring this theory suggest that relationships in families change most dramatically when…
- family circumstances are changing
- individual members
One study found that the peak time for dramatic changes in the relationships between children and their families was for…
- Boys: age 13 or 14
- Girls: age 11 or 12
True or False: Conflict between parents and children does not increases during early adolescence
False: they do
Struggles between adolescents and parents are generally over who has authority and they are focused on pretty basic stuff, what are examples?
- Curfews
- Leisure time activities
- Clothing
- Cleanliness of their rooms
Where does conflict stem from?
different perspectives on issues and violations of expectations
True or False: Contrary to stereotype, adolescents rarely rebel against their parents for the sake of rebelling?
True
What is a Midlife Crisis?
A psychological crisis over identity believed to occur between the ages of 35 and 45
What are parents experiencing increased concern of?
- their bodies, attractiveness, and sexual appeal even as adolescents are maturing and approaching a period of life labeled one of the most attractive
- Parents are beginning to feel that the possibilities for change are limited, while their children are looking toward the future
- The occupational plateau is the point at which adults can tell how successful they are likely to be
How does the mental health of parents affect the way they interact with their children?
- Parents’ mental health problems negatively affect the way they interact with children
- However, parents who have some strong interests outside the family or who are very happily married cope better with the changes of adolescence than do other parents
Why does the mental health of parents not worsen with an “empty nest”?
- Parents’ mental health is worse when their teenage children are living at home than it is once they have moved out
- When children leave home, it is fathers, not mothers, who typically feel the greatest sense of loss
Why does having an adolescent becomes more expensive than having a child?
- Cost of clothing
- Peer socialization related expenses
- Car/Car Insurance
- Large anticipated expenditures (e.g., college)
What is the “sandwich generation”?
Where parents are caring for their parents and caring for their offspring at the same time
True or False: Adolescents are increasing their time outside the family
True
How does Puberty transform family relationships?
- Biological and cognitive maturation at puberty throws the family system out of balance
- Diminished closeness is mostly due to increased teenager privacy and less physical affection than to serious loss of love or respect
How does Puberty affect the sharing of information in family relationships?
The adolescent can become secretive; they start to see some things as “personal”
How are parents not entirely honest either when compared to the adolescent?
Parents are more likely to lie about their own adolescent years when their teenagers are younger and about activities they don’t want their children to try such as having sex or smoking marijuana
What are the 10 basics of parenting?
- What you do matters
- You cannot be too loving
- Be involved in your child’s life
- Adapt your parenting to fit your child
- Establish Rules and Set Limits
- Help foster your child’s independence
- Be consistent
- Avoid harsh discipline
- Explain your rules and decisions
- Treat your child with respect
What are the 4 styles of parenting?
- Authoritative parents
- Authoritarian parents
- Indulgent parents
- Indifferent parents
What are Authoritative parents?
Use warmth, firm control, and rational, issue-oriented discipline, in which emphasis is placed on the development of self-direction
What are Authoritarian parents?
Use punitive, absolute, and forceful discipline, and place a premium on obedience and conformity
What are Indulgent parents?
Characterized by responsiveness but low demandingness, and who are mainly concerned with the child’s happiness
What are Indifferent parents?
Characterized by low levels of both responsiveness and demandingness