Open vs. Closed Systems All living systems are open to some extent, no system is entirely closed. All living systems are open to some extent, no system is entirely closed. A healthy system is one that has a balance between open and closed. A healthy system is one that has a balance between open and closed. System Boundaries vary in permeability from relatively open to relatively closed. System Boundaries vary in permeability from relatively open to relatively closed.

Boundaries Invisible and artificial constructs that delineate individuals and subsystems and define the amount and type of contact allowable between members of a group or family. Invisible and artificial constructs that delineate individuals and subsystems and define the amount and type of contact allowable between members of a group or family. Permeable and Ambiguous Permeable and Ambiguous Help us know what is in and what is out, where the margins and edges are. Help us know what is in and what is out, where the margins and edges are. Are inferred by the repeating patterns of behaviour in a given system. Are inferred by the repeating patterns of behaviour in a given system.

Boundaries… Imply rules or preferred relationships between subsystems in a family or group Imply rules or preferred relationships between subsystems in a family or group A systems rules are what distinguish it from other system rules, and therefore set the boundaries of that system. A systems rules are what distinguish it from other system rules, and therefore set the boundaries of that system. Imply a notion of hierarchy within a system or subsystem (consider the hierarchy in your own family) Imply a notion of hierarchy within a system or subsystem (consider the hierarchy in your own family) Imply some (more or less) a notion of confinement Imply some (more or less) a notion of confinement

Virginia Satir Mother of Family Systems Theory Mother of Family Systems Theory Mother of Family Therapy Mother of Family Therapy Challenged the male establishment Challenged the male establishment Significant work on family communication styles, self esteem, family sculpting, boundaries, and their effect on peoples life development Significant work on family communication styles, self esteem, family sculpting, boundaries, and their effect on peoples life development

Virginia Satir (1972) Permeability of a system relies on: Permeability of a system relies on: Self esteem of members Self esteem of members Family flexibility to deal with emerging problems Family flexibility to deal with emerging problems Uses of power and authority Uses of power and authority Family openness to change (evolve) Family openness to change (evolve) Communication style: direct, indirect, incongruent Communication style: direct, indirect, incongruent Family rules that are covert (secretive) or inhumane Family rules that are covert (secretive) or inhumane

Permeable and Clear Boundaries Imply engagement are predictable Imply engagement are predictable Firm yet flexible Firm yet flexible Consistent yet changeable (evolving) Consistent yet changeable (evolving) Are open, not secretive Are open, not secretive Having meaning, intent, purpose, reason Having meaning, intent, purpose, reason Age appropriate Age appropriate

Permeable and Clear Boundaries Members are nurtured and supported in understanding and working with the boundaries that exist Members are nurtured and supported in understanding and working with the boundaries that exist Members are given some degree of autonomy - developmentally increasing. Members are given some degree of autonomy - developmentally increasing. Some freedom to experiment and test the boundaries, or push them without repercussion Some freedom to experiment and test the boundaries, or push them without repercussion

Rigid Boundaries Imply disengagement, are not predictable Imply disengagement, are not predictable Inflexible, unreasonable, “cold” Inflexible, unreasonable, “cold” Under-responsibility, blocking warmth, ability to self think. Under-responsibility, blocking warmth, ability to self think. Isololating, rigid boundaries often belong to systems that attempt to be autonomous and segregated Isololating, rigid boundaries often belong to systems that attempt to be autonomous and segregated Likely delayed social development Likely delayed social development Members attempt to seek support and nurturance elsewhere (handle it yourself, don’t bother me) Members attempt to seek support and nurturance elsewhere (handle it yourself, don’t bother me)

Ambiguous (blurred) Boundaries Enmeshment, polar opposite of rigid Enmeshment, polar opposite of rigid Everyone is into everyone’s business Everyone is into everyone’s business Over responsibility Over responsibility Providing support when not needed, blocking autonomy Providing support when not needed, blocking autonomy Parents are too accessible, too much negotiation and accommodation Parents are too accessible, too much negotiation and accommodation Cost to child is loss of experimentation, autonomy, independence, Cost to child is loss of experimentation, autonomy, independence, Delayed emotional development Delayed emotional development Conflict on how to cope and manage problems Conflict on how to cope and manage problems

Family Sculpting Satir Satir Past, present and future impacts of family systems and boundary rules on a persons life Past, present and future impacts of family systems and boundary rules on a persons life Way of viewing the dynamics and interactions between system members Way of viewing the dynamics and interactions between system members Means of stepping out of system you are in, to understand more about it Means of stepping out of system you are in, to understand more about it