User:ConradChris/sandbox

Dysfunctional Families
Dysfunctional families are families that have conflicts, behavior problems, or child abuse on a regular basis and other family members get involved. Children sometimes grow up in these types of situations and they believe it's normal.

Universal Signs
Dysfunctional family members have common features and behavior patterns as a result of their experiences within the family structure. This tends to reinforce the dysfunctional behavior, either through enabling or perpetuation. The family can be affected by a variety of factors.

Examples

 * Unrealistic expectations
 * Emotional Intolerance
 * Dual System of Values (Public vs Private)
 * Hypocrisy
 * Children cannot go against authority

Children
Children are usually affected the most by dysfunctional families because of how young they are. Since they are growing up with continuous problems they learn to think that it's normal. Teachers, friends, and other relatives are usually completely unaware of the situation as well.

Six Basic Roles

 * Good Child (Hero) - The child who assumes the parental role.
 * Problem Child - The child blamed for the problems of the family, often the stable one.
 * Caretaker - The child who takes responsibility for the emotional being of the family.
 * Lost Child - The child who is quiet and their needs are ignored.
 * Mascot - The child who uses comedy to divert attention away from the problems.
 * Mastermind - The child who capitalizes from the other members to get what they want.

Therapy
Family problems can happen even with the healthiest of families resulting in challenging, frustrating, and painful interactions. Resolving the problems requires the cooperation from all members of the family, but provide opportunities to strengthen the family.

The Good

 * Helps families come together and address the problems
 * Helps family members understand eachother better
 * Strengthens the family
 * If done correctly, resolves the problems

The Bad

 * Could potentially make problems worse
 * Families could refuse the help
 * End early