Social control of adolescents

¶ … macro and micro issues concerning the sociology of a family case study.

Most families today have to deal with a number of conflicts that include blended families, two income households, daycare and latch-key children. In cases of remarriage, there is the additional stress of an ex-spouse and resentment from the children. Family members will sometimes find it beneficial to stop and look at the dynamics of their household in an effort to resolve some of the issues.

Family Structure

Nathan and Christine Bryant are a married couple that has a child named Christopher, from Christine's previous marriage, along with Lakeisha, who is a biological child from this marriage.

This family can have problems from many different issues. In a microsystem view the family has to deal with conflicts between the two children who each may feel the other is receiving specialized treatment.

The family may have to reschedule plans when Christopher visits his biological father and there may be conflicts between Christine and her ex-concerning discipline for the child.

Functions of the Family

Each member of the family is responsible for their own distinctive function, which is essential for the family system. It is important for each member to perform their task and not leave for someone else. This will not only create additional tension, but also resentment among family members.

Nathan's responsibility is mainly to provide emotional support to all of the family members. He is the one they all know they can come to, not only with their problems, but also for the high points of their day.

Although Nathan does not provide the main source of income, he is instrumental in providing the additional funds needed for maintaining the family.

Nathan also has the responsibility for making sure the family always has a home.

Christine is the head of the household, providing most of the income for the family. She is the one who is responsible for how others see her family, and making sure they are accepted by their peers. Along with providing the income for the family, Christine must also provide most of the care for the children, even though Nathan is there for emotional support. She is the one who makes sure the children are fed properly, and cared for when they are sick.

The main responsibility for Christopher and Lakeisha is to attend school regularly and make sure they have their schoolwork done in a timely manner. It's important for them to study and make good grades, since it is becoming harder to get in to the best colleges. Along with their schoolwork, they need to make sure their rooms are clean and help with chores around the house as much as possible. This will prepare them for when they become adults and are out on their own.

Family Values

In order for a family to function today, all members must adhere to certain values.

The Bryants stress the importance of honesty. Without honestly within the family, there can be no trust, and without trust there is little to hold the family together. Once trust and honestly disappear, suspicions take their place, creating a hostile environment. Once gone, it will take a long time to earn back a person's trust.

Nathan and Christine show the importance of equality by each providing not only income for the family, but also emotional support for each other and their children. They also make a point to treat each child the same, working to alleviate any resentment that may surface due to special treatment.

The Bryants know that material items are not the only things in life, and accomplishments each has achieved are much more important.

They also know the importance of encouraging one another to reach all of their goals in life, and strive to maintain a loving household, despite any conflicts that arise.

Finally, the Bryants understand what respect means for their family. They know to respect each other and not to take advantage of one another. Nathan and Christine are impressing upon the children the importance of respecting each other's property and not taking anything without asking the owner first.

Changes within the family

The Bryant family has been facing many changes within the family system.

As the children have been getting older, they have stopped talking to their parents as much. Lately, family members have been putting their needs above the rest of the family, leaving many chores unattended.

Nathan and Christine are finding they are too tired for romance, when they have to do additional work around the house. Christine is concerned because the kids do not seem to have any goals for their future, or even for the next month. All of these factors are creating conflicts among all members of the family and as the hostility increases, so does the lack of communication.

Development of the Family

The Bryants find that within their family system they must deal with the educational goals of each of the children, or lack of the goals, as they have been noticing lately. Nathan and Christine are finding they are having conflicts about raising the kids, with Christine feeling Nathan is being too strict on Christopher, since he is not his biological child. The family system perspective shows that right now the short-term goals center around opening the lines of communication by going on a short vacation, while long-term goals include getting the kids through college and saving for retirement.