Blog 13

I really enjoyed this lesson on LGBTQ theory. One of the major points that I think is important is that this theory truly accounts for diverse pathways to family formation, structure and development. As a result, in the same spirit, it is important not to lump all LGBTQ families into one pot. Recognizing that each family is unique in its own ways, much as was covered in understanding diverse families, is part of what allows the theory to be flexible and continuously relevant.

Another key takeaway was embedded in the lecture regarding queer theory. This theory questions “heteronormativity”, questions the heterosexual/homosexual binary, and unpacks hidden assumptions about “normal” families and “good” parents. I think one evident example is captured in the quote shown in the photo below: "Asking who's the 'man' and who's the 'woman' in a same-sex relationship is like asking which chopstick is the fork."

I think this quote perfectly demonstrates an ongoing tendency for individuals (even those who accept lesbian/gay couples) to describe and understand them through the lens of heterosexuality. Subscribing gender attributes, associating with traditional gender roles, and similar heteronormative approaches strip a person of their individuality because not all people fall into distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) with natural roles in life.

Blog 12

My unwavering dedication to the public interest developed as a result of many factors and influences in my life that have pushed me to strive to make the dream of social justice a reality for all. While my academic and extracurricular pursuits propelled me along this trajectory, my greatest inspiration has been my family. They have challenged me to believe in others, to be passionate in leading a life of service and to respect the richness of my heritage.

Growing up, I heard stories of injustice that may seem inconceivable to some people: my grandfather’s business being confiscated in Cuba, his forced internment in the fields of Bejucal, his decision to uproot his family to a foreign country to escape the abuses of the Castro regime, as well as his years of sacrifice working three jobs to improve the life of his family and to secure for his children the privileges of freedom, education, and opportunity in the United States.

While those experiences are not alien to many immigrants, few young people possess the same passion and indignation as their older relatives. It is their grandparents’ experiences, not their own. However, I think younger generations have an obligation to learn from their cultural ancestry, share the richness of our vibrant culture, and prevent these atrocities from ever repeating themselves. Their story is my own, embedded in my commitment to the public interest field, in part because of the social schisms which can develop along racial or cultural lines.

Thinking about how culture is built into who we are (and who I am) as an individual and how it influences family dynamics is incredibly important. In addition to my passion for public interest, some of my fondest memories come from family meals during which stories like the one I mentioned were shared. Understanding diversity in families makes the study of family dynamics rich, engaging, and connected to real human experiences.

Blog 11

I enjoyed reading about conflict theory and reflecting how there are indeed many points of tension in many relationships. One of the areas which was alluded to, which I wanted to explore further in this blog post, is the area of discipline.

This is a huge area of struggle for families, and one which I often encounter in my professional life. Children misbehave for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, children act up to get a parent's attention; sometimes when they imitate adults or their peers, it can be interpreted as misbehaving. Misconduct can be a sign that the child is growing up, evolving past a specific set of rules or is a testing limits to increase their independence.

Whether just at home, or even if this behavior extends past home life into school or public life, there are many suggestions designed to help improve behavior. The first step, as demonstrated below as in many other models, is to partner, discuss, and set limits for children. This is something that needs to be negotiated, first and foremost between the caregivers. When there is conflict between parents or guardians, it makes it difficult to create an appropriate discipline structure. However, even if there is agreement between parents or a child is in a single-parent household, relationships with family members, teachers, and other adults can bring the need for negotiation of this structure.

This reminded me of many of the points that were discussed in conflict theory because of the emphasis this perspective places on negotiating conflict for resources and power.

Blog 10

This week's Feminist Family Theory touches upon an important (and often under-explored) area of family dynamics. I personally identify as a feminist- someone who believes in equality between genders which is often not in existence. I believe women and men should be paid equally, which they are not (http://www.womenyoushouldknow.net/equal-payback-project-sarah-silverman-drastic-measures-close-gap-nsfw/). I believe women give consent when they say "yes," which is not a universal protection (http://news.yahoo.com/california-passes-yes-means-yes-campus-sexual-assault-092512755.html). I also believe women should be safe, protected and secure in their security and health, which it is often not (as discussed below).

In thinking about this theory and how it connects to the lives of women (especially in diverse cultures and circumstances, I wanted to explore the link between this theory and female genital mutilation (or FGM). FGM (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/) is defined as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This practice continues because a blend of cultural, religious and social factors within families and communities, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. These reasons range from eliminating a women's libido in order to deter "illicit" sexual behavior by females and encourage modesty, to preparing a woman for female adulthood, to religious promulgation.

The United Nations has worked for years to have FGM acknowledged as a health hazard to women and girls. Research evidence shows grave permanent damage to the health of girls and women. Acute complications involve hemorrhage infections, bleeding of adjacent organs, violent pain. Life long complications include scarring, chronic infection, urologic and obstetric diseases, serious complications during childbirth, pain at intercourse and chronic depression.

A number of governments have outlawed FGM, but the practice continues. In many of these societies, women's subordinate status renders them economically and socially dependent on their husbands and fathers, making it very difficult to avoid undergoing the operation. Efforts to eradicate the practice must also include ending pervasive discrimination against girls and women in these societies.

In the context of Feminist Family Theory, it is important to note how a practice of this type persists, and how the social, cultural and religious views which exist allow it to continue and thrive. This would be an important intersection of theory, research and practice for ongoing exploration and action.

Blog 9

I picked the image below because I think something important to calculate in the cost-benefit analysis is that, at least in some cases, the grass is greener on the other side. The assessment of stability, as described in the theory, is meant to analyze if the satisfaction with the current relationship is greater than any profitable alternatives. If there seems to be a better alternative, this means an individual will leave current relationship. However, what happens next?

Because of the changing nature and assessment of relationships, I think the idea of an "oops" moment can actually factor into an individual's greater, or overall, cost-benefit analysis. Have you never heard of a partner who broke up with their significant other and then regretted it or a couple who got back together after taking some time apart? I think this is just one manifestation of the cost-benefit analysis described by the theory.

Although not explicitly discussed in the theory, I wonder more about what factors are involved in shaping an individual's assessments and cost-benefit analysis. How does one weigh viable alternative options? Where is each person's threshold in the cost-benefit before selecting another option? While I recognize this is part of the comparison level, the subjective standard by which these decisions are made, I wonder what generalizations could be drawn, whether based on gender, culture, or other factors which influence an individual's tolerance and perfection in the social exchange process.

Blog 8

This week's readings and lecture on Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Models of Human Development reminded me of a situation recently encountered at work. As part of my work, the team I lead performs developmental screenings for children in order to facilitate identification and intervention for special needs. As our new budget year was starting, we were evaluating to see if we needed another observational tool to help assess families. My colleagues and I were most interested in promoting positive parenting and healthy parent-child interactions, which led us to explore the PICCOLO assessment.

The Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO) is a checklist of nearly thirty observable, developmentally supportive parenting behaviors. The assessment focuses on the youngest children, particularly those between 10 and 48 months of age across several domains. This tool has been described as a positive, practical, versatile, culturally sensitive, valid, and reliable tool for practitioners that shows what parents can do to support their children’s development.

PICCOLO helps practitioners observe a wide range of parenting behaviors that help children develop over time to facilitate an approach known as developmental parenting. By identifying and focusing on parenting strengths, professionals are able to offer support for increasing the developmental resources available to young children and promoting parent skill-building.

The domains assessed by the PICCOLO include affection (warmth, physical closeness, and positive expressions toward child), responsiveness (responding to child’s cues, emotions, words, interests, and behaviors), encouragement (active support of exploration, effort, skills, initiative, curiosity, creativity, and play), and teaching (shared conversation and play, cognitive stimulation, explanations, and questions). Sample questions can be viewed here: http://archive.brookespublishing.com/documents/PICCOLO-sample-items.pdf.

These domains reminded me of the micro system influences which can impact children according to Bronfenbrenner's theory. Asking important questions such as "How does amount and quality of children’s engagement with parents impact their development and learning?" or "How can interaction with children and the quality of parent-child interaction be altered or improved?" are critical in understanding the development of a child. I think this is a great real-life application of the theory and how it truly works outside of "laboratory conditions" in common practice.

Blog 7

This week's Family Systems Theory reminds me of several stories and situations I have encountered recently. The first picture is of blocks which spell out family. One of the concepts which struck me in the theory is that each family member comes together to influence family dynamics. All of the blocks together spell "family" but without each individual member together, the sum would not be achieved. While each letter is important, they all come together to spell the single word, just as all family members contribute to the sum family dynamic.

The other area which stood out to me about this theory was the concept of boundaries. We often talk about boundaries in the context of personal space or professional ethics or interpersonal engagement in a work setting. It is much more rare (in my opinion) to talk about boundaries in a family, at least in explicit terms. By defining boundaries as the management of the flow of energy and information/communication in a family as the mechanism by which belongingness and autonomy are set, there is a deep well to explore, whether in a theoretical or therapeutic context.

I have always found the expression, "I am drawing a line in the sand" (second picture) to be extremely interesting. The saying is meant to imply that a decision and its resulting consequences are permanently decided and irreversible, but I always found this to be so ironic because sand is such a malleable substance. These boundaries are something I have recently seen a co-worker struggle to define. My co-worker and friend, Daniela, has been working part-time at our agency for nearly six months since she graduated with her Master's degree. She was recently offered another part-time position and has undergone the process of defining boundaries and rules (explicit and implicit) in order to address their responsibilities and her new schedule.

It has been difficult, because Daniela has been used to having much more free time. As a student, and even recently holding a single part-time job, allowed her great flexibility and afforded her much more free time. As she looks to still retain time for personal activities she enjoys, she has had to figure out how to balance with her husband. For instance, it seemed to be an implicit responsibility for her to take their family dog to the groomer's and the vet. As she has added other responsibilities, even this task which she had always handles, and which had been taken for granted, needed to become part of the explicit conversation she had with her husband. As a result, they have had to redraw the lines and expectations and responsibilities in their relationship (in the sand or otherwise) to accommodate these life adjustments. I think Family Systems Theory really underscores the communication, power dynamics, and boundaries which shape many facets of families, including the example provided in Daniela's case.