1. Abigail J. Carothers ECD 420
Family systems theory
Abigail J. Carothers
ECD 420

2. Family Systems Theory at a Glance
Overview
What is a Family System?
Factors in Family Systems
Boundaries
Rules
Roles
Family Systems Theory Assessment
Results
Conclusion
Evaluation
Resources

3. Overview
What is Family Systems Theory?

4. Family Systems Theory Families are groups of interrelated people
Each family member is affected and affects other members of the family
Children can learn:
Their family’s way of communicating
Their family’s way of behaving
Children bring these characteristics with them to school & into life

5. Family Systems Include:
Boundaries
Rules
Roles

6. Boundaries: Helps teachers understand how family makes decisions
Families could value autonomy and independence
Or, families might value togetherness and dependence

7. Rules:
Traditions that families use to guide their interactions with one another
They also tell families how to deal with people and traditions outside of their family
Ex: boy refusing to help clean up because “women do the cleanup” in his household

8. Roles:
Rules or responsibilities assigned to different members of the family
Examples include
Scapegoat: one person always is blamed
Peacemaker
Helper
Savior

9. Roles continued:
Families assign & encourage each other to follow these roles
Roles are transferred into the classroom
Ex: Peacemakers will often be mediators between conflicts that occur in the classroom

10. Family systems Assessment

11. Questions Do you value your child having independence?
Do you value your child being dependent on the family structure?
Do you consult your child’s other parent when creating boundaries for your child?
Do you have a set of rules for your child?
Does your child follow the rules you set?
Do you consistently follow through with implementing these rules?
Do you follow gender-specific roles in your household such as women do the cleaning?
Do you assign roles or jobs in your family such as chores?
Do you feel your child can be a peacemaker at home?
Do you notice your child taking on other roles such as leader or follower?

12. Results: Questions 1-5 70% Answered YES 30% Answered YES

13. Results: Questions 6-10 6. 40% Answered YES 7. 20% Answered YES

14. What Do These Results Tell Us?
They can help determine:
Rules that parents expect their child to follow
Roles that children play in their families & help determine the roles they will play in the classroom
The boundaries parents have put in place & whether they value independence or dependence

15. Results Continued:
70% of parents stated that they value their child’s independence from the family structure
90% stated they have a set of rules for their child to follow
However, only 50% said their children followed these rules on a semi-regular basis

16. Results Continued:
Only 40% of parents asked to complete this assessment say they expect their child to follow these set rules
50% said they assign jobs such as chores for their children
20% said they expect their children to only participate in “gender specific” jobs

17. Conclusion: Using these forms of assessment tools helps:
teachers gain a better understanding of the students in their class
Understanding a child’s family system is crucial when implementing developmentally appropriate practice
Knowing the standards each parent holds for their child can help one better understand how a child best is disciplined and learns
Helps identify roles within the classroom and the purpose for these roles.

18. Presentation Evaluation
Did the presenter speak clearly, effectively, and in a professional manner? Explain your answer.
In your opinion, what was the best and worst part of the presentation?
If you could change one thing about the presentation what would you change?
Did anything surprise you in this presentation?
Any comments and/or recommendations for the presenter?

19. Resources:
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition HarperCollins Publishers
James Anthony, The Family and the Psychoanalytic Process in Children (1980). Psychoanalytic Study of the Child
Marion, M. (2011). Guidance of young children. St. Louis: Mosby
Sexton, T. L., Weeks, G. R., & Robbins, M. S. (2003). Handbook of family therapy: The science and practice of working with families and couples. New York: Brunner- Routledge
Williams, Brian; Stacey C. Sawyer, Carl M. Wahlstrom (2005). Marriages, Families & Intimate Relationships, Boston, MA: Pearson