Family Theory

Introduction After reviewing the theories, I have chosen Family System theory to discuss how various factors may impact at different stages in the family lifecycle in a Singapore context. “Family systems theory grew out of the general systems theory, a conceptual framework developed in the 1960s by Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1968), and family therapists applied these ideas to marriage and family as a system.” (Olson, 2003, p.71). He proposed that a system is characterized by the interactions of its components and the nonlinearity of those interactions. In the family cycle context, a family member is only a piece of the whole family and his dynamic interactions with his family and environment will determine his functionality as an individual and a system. This system theory is adopted by social workers working with family as it enables them to shift attention from the individual behaviour to a broad etiology of behaviour, namely the other family members.
Family System Theory
Family system theory is the most suitable theory in working towards having a strong bond between families. A family should have a strong bond with each other because they are blood –related and should be able to work together in making the most of life. Families should be able to communicate freely with each other in order to solve conflict or just have someone they can talk with. Families are the people who stick by each other’s sides in tough situation and should support each other even if someone does not agree with what is going on. Families should be able to express themselves to each other without feeling ashamed of what they believe in. Each family has an important impact on the rest of the family and the children involved. “The family operates as an interrelated and interdependent unit; therefore, events and experiences that have an impact on a particular family member also will have effect the other members of the family or the entire family unit (Minuchin, 1974).” (Gargiulo & Kilgo,