Family therapy approaches in Ordinary People

Family Therapy

Family establishment and sustainability are a multifaceted endeavour that has immense explanations and perceptions in the world. Many families in the society have diversity in management, care, materialization of existence, and continuum of productivity and success. The existence of different approaches of building families has led to diverse methods of encouraging and sustaining families and family relations. As a code of directionality and normalcy, this piece of study has endeavoured to relay a number of facets that determine a successful or strange family. The article has explored several approaches and theories that are behind a family under tragedy in the society. It is a common endeavour to find communities living under differing notions of belief and functionality. This piece of study and writing has endeavoured to explore all the fields of family relations.

As part of the guiding mechanism, the study has explored a family in the movie called "Ordinary People." Throughout the movie, several things, categorical of a family have been explored for study. From the movie, the study has focused on various aspects of a family like family styles, the interventions types being used, and generations of family. Moreover, they include emotional triangles, genograms, cultural background, cultural influences, family structure, their struggles, anxieties, individual level of differences of each member, "crises" that have affected the family, emotional relationship across three generations, relational dynamics in the dyads, and coaching with individuals.

The study has explored a family that is likely to benefit from different aspects of counselling as reiterated in several theories and literatures. Families are dynamic in nature. There is no similarity of choice in manifestation of normalcy within a single family. Throughout the study, it is evident to known that every problem that affects a family has its innate origins. Moreover, the approaches to be used within families in tackling immediate and further examples are explored since they are within every family.

Family Therapy

Movie, "Ordinary people"

The movie on "Ordinary people" is a sentimental movie that explores and explains differences and dynamic problems that families face in the world. The movie has taken an example of a middle class family that is likely to face a number of challenges because of emergence of chaos in the society. At the strike of chaos, this family is affected wholly since the members are dispersed in their opinions and interests, leaving the family as a dispersed organization. It reaches a point that the family members cannot engage in conversations, yet they are a family in the making. Every member is filled with guilty and remorse. The family exists in a state that members are not able to work together as part of the strategic options to integrate diverse opinions and suggestions. In the end, every member of the family feels separated from the family as they declare the family a dynamic entity (Kottler & Shepard, 2011).

One of the families in the movie comprise of Calvin and Beth, who are living in an aftermath after death of their older son Buck. Conrad is overtaken by grief as he decides to commit suicide. He seeks control and help in order to remain stable with his family. Beth had good relations with Buck, and hence could not appear to be in agreement with Conrad. Calvin is in love and trouble between the two remaining members of the family. He is trying to bring the family together unsuccessfully: he realizes about his life and the things happening in the family.

Using Bowen's Family Systems and McGoldrick Ethical therapy

Bowen's Family Systems and McGoldrick Ethical therapy are some of the two most influential therapies that can be applied in the movie exemplification on the "Ordinary people." According to the Bowen's Family Systems theory, families exist as units that can never be separated even at times of complete separation and distress between the members. Every family around the globe is a unit that operates just as a system operates. The family is united in several mechanisms that are innate and directional to the objectives of the family. For instance, it is straightforward to find family members coming to a common understand when there are difficulties to be explored and resolved. Family bondage is innate and cannot fade away even when the members are in sheer difference or dispute. Unity is what characterizes a family in every society.

The desire for unity and emotional togetherness drives family members to be in one collective bay where commonness and normalcy of reputation is observed. Nonetheless, breakage of family bonds cannot take a long time before new bonds are established between different members making up that family. Taking the example of the family explored in the movie, the Jarrett's family, all the family members appear to be in disarray. Nonetheless, not at any time does a family member depart from the family.

The few challenges and daily struggles appear to separate the families, but they continue to be in one constant system, with everyone trying to be of assistance to one or two of the family members. Every member appears to have a problem that needs immediate or long-time assistance. Calvin is desperate to establish a home where understanding is the factor of love. Beth has innate desires to assist Bulk although he is gone. On the other hand, Conrad is desperate for his father to come of age and take unity in the family. In the end, every member is seeking for emotional support that enables him or her to coexist.

As dictated by McGoldrick Ethical therapy, family members are responsible for one another. In their perception, they are secured from external attacks that do not come from the family members. Beth and Calvin are desperate to see Conrad grow to be a dependable son after the departure of Buck. The family members are ready to accommodate one another even with the looming dislikes between some of them. Within a solidarity state, it is effective to perceive unity among family members even when they appear to be in serious distress. The sense of guiltiness and desire to have success is part of the heart of having a stable family. Such a family can command respect and dominion from the external family relations. This idea is common among the Jarrett's family members.

The act of emotional interdependence is vivid among the members of the "Ordinary People" movie. Every member is emotionally related or reliant on one another. Part of the features that show this is the fact that Conrad and Beth appear not to be in unison in their perceptions. Nonetheless, Beth still recognises Conrad as one of his ones even after the death of Buck. She is emotional to the fact that Conrad feels her. She tries to let Calvin be in one perception so that they can live together as a family again. Emotions are rudimentary in every person in the society. The emotional connections between family members are firm as proposed by Bowen.

The aspect of self is evident is many aspects among the members in the movie. According to Bowen, it is common for family members to be tried to assist one another instead of having a common ground where self-perceptions changed before changing those of others. Bowen and McGoldrick have a common ethical perception that it is crucial for people to have a self-change before trying to impact change among others in the family and society. The concept of trying to change others might appear difficult if the innate characteristics that determine the existence and life of the members are not in emotional or accommodative feeling. According to McGoldrick and Bowen in their theories, ethics play a critical role in uniting family members even when they appear to be in considerable distress and disunity (Kottler & Shepard, 2011).

Family relations bond many factors in the society. Apart from emotions and likeness, there are ethical perceptions that are innate within family members. Ethical issues like love, peace, joy, transcend every desire for disagreements and quarrels. Family disintegration is a common facet that cannot be eradicated from the society. Nonetheless, the emotions perceptions and ethics the build these families are indispensable when it comes to establishing a commonness of thought and intention among these family members.

Family dynamics and structures causing problems

Several family dynamics and structure have resulted in immediate and long-time problems within Jarrett's family. The family has various canons and structural failures that have summed up to cause disputes and separations between members. Conrad is the youngest son in the family. Calvin who is married to Beth heads the family. Beth has been described as the decision maker in the family much to the presence of Calvin the husband. The first instance of dynamic separation is evident from the manner in which the family handles the aftermath of Buck's departure.

Buck is the eldest son who happened to be diseased. Conrad is brought down emotionally by the departure of his brother. He does not receive any support from the parents and close friends. He is depended much on his parents since he is still in high school. He notices that he can do nothing after the death of his brother. He attempted suicide, much to his rescue and hospitalization. The effects of the death attempt to make shim remain guilty throughout his life. There is no tender care and family filial love as expected to be comforted after the death of Buck (Goldenberg, & Goldenberg, 2012).

From the hospital, he comes home where he stays with her mother and father. Calvin has less care and concern for the ailing Conrad. Beth is the only one who shows enough care to the ailing son while he is not well. Failure to respond to family duties is thus another issue that has often resulted in dynamics within families. Response to family responsibilities has brought much tension and pressure to all the family members. Calvin is the initial candidate who does not resend to his duties. Beth has been introduced as the decision maker in the family even in the presence of Calvin (the head of the family). Beth is frustrated by his laziness and lack of concern. Nonetheless, Beth is concerned over the health of their son. The mother appears to be a tough candidate and the father a tender candidate, all but the contrary (Blume, 2006).

Communication is another facet that influences on the stability of members within a family. Lack of communication creates dynamism in families. Family members are ascribed to immense pressures from one another to communicate. For instance, the reasons that made Conrad attempt suicide all rests on lack of communication between him and the other family members. Conrad does not want to share his feelings and intentions with the family members. He lives in solidarity. When he commits suicide, he intends to take his life in order to be freed from the world of brutality and innocence. Communication is lacking in this scenario and family.

The family members and not in any constructive communication that can be depended on. For instance, the father and wife of the family do not have a solid understanding over the situation of the family. The family members exist in their own without innate and functional communication between them. In order to solve conflicts and differences that are there, the family is not clued to the fact that they need to have a solid foundation of communication. Beth is consistently frustrated by the fact that Conrad does not want to share his feelings about his ill health. On the other hand, Conrad is not pleased with the tense relationship between him and the rest of the family members. It is because of this reason that he even committed suicide.

The system that exists between the family members is to blame for the diverse generation of communication breakdown in the family. For instance, Beth has outside relationship with her mother and brother. She runs to them when in need of anything from these people. The relationship between Calvin and Conrad is tender in the absence of Beth. Nonetheless, the inclusion of Beth in this relationship is likened to a third force that does not assist anything to take place. Moreover, Beth as the decision maker within the family dominates the relationship between Beth and Calvin. Therefore, Beth is responsible for the inflexibilities in communication between all the family members. This common dynamic causes the problem in many families globally. All the members within the family are confused and have no idea on what they should do in their relationships (Blume, 2006).

Application of theoretical notions

Based on the structural model, the family of Jarrett shows cases of disengagement while handling the problems that were facing Conrad. Conrad happened to have suffered from emotional and mental problems. Beth and Calvin do not show equitable support and care. Initially, the reason why Conrad suffered the state is neglect from the family members. Beth is the sole strength when it comes to making the decision within the family. He is engraved to the idea of making decisions that belittle Calvin. Beth is has more power in the family than she is supposed to be having. On the other hand, Calvin carries out the decisions. This is an opposite parameter or system of roles within a family. Calvin seems to be contented with the roles he plays within the family. The structural make up of the family is dispersed to any member. Calvin has no power to execute equitable control of the family as the family man. He has failed to keep the family system under equitable control. His duties are based on the decisions that have been made by Beth.

There is an imbalance of power between the family members. All the members are for the idea that their service to one another does not count in the family. It is for this reason that Calvin leaves every decision making process to Beth. Beth controls all the family affairs right from top to bottom. The emotional perceptions and strengths of the family members are at stake. Moreover, the family has weak psychological connections. All the members of the family have diverse perceptions and thoughts. It appears that no one cares for the other in the family. This relationship hails from the imbalance in power exemplifications portrayed by the family members.

According to nature in which things are happening in this family, the structures that build the family are all broken down. The structural system of the family has been broken by the breakages between the member relationships. The members have no measures and strategies to implement in order to come out with a solid foundation between them. The structural cohesion and positivity within the family is not functional (Goldenberg, & Goldenberg, 2012).

When the father cherishes the relationship he has with the son, the intervention of the mother appears to destroy everything between them. The mother of the son is influential and lethal to the nature of relationship that is established between the father and son. In most cases, it is evident to learn of the facts that it is detrimental to have the mother present while the father and son are negotiating ways through their problems. The head of the decision-making process in the family has broken down the basic structures that hold the family. Beth is the root of all mistakes and structural dysfunctions within the family. If it were not for her intentions, the bondage between the father and the son would have been solid for the sake of the family.

Strengths and resources that can enable this family tackle issues effectively

A number of strengths and issues can enable this family to exercise equitable care and establishment of their unity. Any therapist will encourage different and numerous tools and mechanisms of rebuilding the structure and stability of Jarrett's family. As part of the remedy measures, it is necessary to consider the extent of the damage the structural failure has caused to the family.

It is vital the family rebuilds on its structures of communication. Every solemn family is established when communication channels and structures have been staged within a palatable ground of operation. In many cases, families failing to communicate often perish due to self-destruction. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the need of having a family that shares ideas, feelings, suggestion, pressure, and difficulties within a common ground. This can be done only when the channels of communications have been established and used effectively within the family. Any therapist will recommend communication restructure as the only remedy to start bringing an equitable structure within the family. As applied to other families in the world, having an equitable structure of communication within this family will ensure that members share what they have at any given time.

Every family has its unique mechanism of assigning roles to the family members. This facet is lacking in this family. It is crucial for members to sit back and have sound mechanisms of assigning roles to the different members. This will assist the family to be able to work as a system or a unit. Unity is paramount in all cases that seek to yield fruit. When the roles of the family are shared equally between the members, the family will have a palatable structure that ensures its continuity and success in the society.

Other facets that should be incorporated within Jarrett's family are love and openness between members. As positioned by Bowen, any family with an equitable structure does not lack the basic facets of emotional love and accommodation throughout every challenge. The family should endeavour into various ways and means of restoring the capability to live with love and be open to each other. Filial love should exist between the family members. Moreover, Beth should be a source of love and respect to all the family members. Calvin and the son should embrace the same in order to establish a cohesive and loving environment (Kottler & Shepard, 2011).

Three culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions (family, dyad, and individual)

Family

As a family, Jarrett's should establish equable basement where it dominates and makes a difference in the society. Every facet concerned with building a strong family should rest on the efforts of all the family members. Calvin is the head of the family. He should stand as the head of the family and husband to Beth in order to eradicate any misrepresentation of the family image. Responsibilities assigned to all the family members should be achieved as planned by the family members. Calvin has a number of roles to play in order to restore solidarity and confidence among the family members. Initially, the family existed as a united with all the members notably free to interact and dwell within a palatable ground of performance within the family.

Nonetheless, the change in the structure of the family happened to have destroyed its functions in the society. In order to restore the structure of the family, it is necessary to have all the members dwelling within an equitable basement of responsibility and performance.

The family should be incorporated of all pertinent members. Calvin and Conrad should extend their connecting to Beth in order to love as a family. The love between the father and the son should be cemented by that from the mother. No one family member should be left separated from the family cycle. In order to arrive at an equitable decision that dwells within a family, it is necessary to consider bondage between all the members of the family. As part of the cultural heritage, the family members should embrace their responsibilities and respond to them at the right time. This will boost family bondage and sensitivity when it comes to responding to imminent challenges facing them. Moreover, the family should have traditions that bind and keep it from external harm such traditions, like care for the family, solving of problems within the family periphery, and practicing of solemn relationships, should be maintained within the family (Goldenberg, & Goldenberg, 2012).

Dyad

Within Jarrett's family, several relationships exist between two members. Calvin is in solemn relationship with his son Conrad. Calvin is in pressured relationship with his wife Beth. Beth had a tender relationship with Buck who passed on. Moreover, Beth has lethal relationship with her son Conrad. Beth has external relationship with her mother and brother, most of which have become helpful to her when facing challenges.

As far as these relationships are beneficial to the parties concerned, they should preserve the soul of the family. For instance, nothing should separate the relationship between Beth and Calvin. These two people make up the family at hand. According to the cultural teachings, it is necessary to consider the safety of these two people since the health of their relationships translates to the health of their family. Culturally, a husband and wife should commit their relationship to the success of their family. The benefits that arise from these relationships will be of benefit to the family and children together with the society as a whole.

The other relationships are between Beth and the son, Calvin and the son, and Beth and the rest of the relatives who do not make to be immediate members of this family. The relationship between Beth and her brother and mother should not in any case interfere with the relationships of the family. The sovereignty of the family should be protected at all costs in order to ensure separate and independent establishment of the family stability. The family members are supposed to uphold equitable management of their relationships in order to promote the relationship within the family. Moreover, all the double relationships between the members should be directed at building the structure of the family (Blume, 2006).

Individual

The relationships between all the members of the family begin with the single relationships between each member. Individual relationship is detrimental to the performance of the family in terms of stability, coherence of performance, and equitable relationships. It is necessary to consider the fact that change start with the individual members of the family. Change starts when Calvin restructures his roles and takes up the responsibilities ahead of him as the father to the family and husband to Beth. Calvin should bring Beth and Conrad into an equitable understanding that will let them assume their responsibilities. This is a Brobdingnagian responsibility that Calvin has in the family. Moreover, Calvin should cultivate the art of dwelling in peace and harmony with all the family members. This will assist in establishing an equitable environment where the family structure will be enriched through the efforts of the family man (Goldenberg, & Goldenberg, 2012).

Beth and Conrad should search into their failures and get back to building a culture of coexistence within the family. Conrad should be open to his mother. He should not think of failure and guilty that he went through after the departure of Buck. His contribution to the family is essential when establishing peace and equitable existence between the family members. The stability posed by Beth is essential to establishing an equitable family where the rule of cohesive love and care should be appreciated. The solid foundation that will be established between the different members will come from individual performances and participation. In the end, the family will have a palatable structure that will yield to its objectives and goals.

Reference

Blume T.W. (2006). Becoming a Family Counselor: A Bridge to Family Therapy Theory and Practice. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons

Goldenberg, H & Goldenberg, H. (2012). Family Therapy: An Overview. New York, NY:

Cengage Learning

Kottler, J.A., & Shepard, D.S. (2011). Introduction to counseling: Voices from the field.

Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.