Theory

Family Systems Theory
- The whole is greater than some of its parts.
 - Boundaries
 - Every person has a role in life if that person isn't their then something is wrong.
-If moms not happy no ones happy.
- Feedback talk with each other.

Exchange Theory
- When unbalanced it disconnects.

Symbolic Theory
- Everything is symbolic: words behaviors, looks.
- Most of what happens between people is through symbolism.

Conflict Theory
- Everything happens with some sort of conflict. When you have capable people there is conflict (not necessarily aggressiveness).

Rigid Boundaries- Sense of not being well connected with family.
Defuse Boundaries- Not clear a little to close.
Clear Boundaries- Noticeable, obvious.

First week of class we discussed chapter one of our textbook Marriage & Family the Quest for Intimacy Eighth Edition. In this chapter we talked about Trends. Some of the Trends we discussed were:
INCREASE
Divorce Rates (S)
Pre-Marital (S)
Cohabitation (S)
People are living alone (NBD)
Mothers working outside of the home (S-I)
Births to unmarried Women (S)

DECREASE
People getting married (S)
Children being born (I)
Social Activities (I)
Social time with extended family (I)

We then discussed in groups how important each of those were and placed them in different categories such as Significant, Interesting, and No big deal.

We then tried to connect them together and found that: Not being social can have a chain reaction-- Not Social- don't meet people- no marriage- no children.

Hello my name is Andrea Jorgensen I am taking this Family Relations class for my major which is Marriage and Family Studies. I am really excited for this semester and to learn more about families. I am creating this blog so I am able to record thoughts that are inspiring to me. I hope you enjoy my blog.