1. Communication in Families

2. Topics covered Diversity in Family Life Communication in Families
The Family Life Cycle
Social Media and Family Communication
Guidelines for Effective Communication in Families

3. Af ter studying…. Describe different definitions of family.
Identify family communication patterns in a particular familial interaction.
Recognize different stages in your family’s life cycle.
Assess ways that social media affect families.
Apply chapter guidelines to improve communication in your family.

4. remember
Before we begin discussing families and communication, we should note that not everyone lives with others.
The family is a critical social institution that functions as part of society.
The family is also a distinct social group with its own roles, patterns, and behaviors.
Family is a cultural universal, though its structure varies across time and space.

5. In some countries, marriages are arranged by families, and spouses may get to know each other only after the wedding ceremony.
Polygamy is practiced in some societies.
Some cultures regard marriage as so sacred that divorce is allowed only if a spouse denounces ancestors or kills someone in his or her mate’s family.

6. Diversity in Family Life
Diverse forms of family
Diverse goals for families
Cultural diversity of family forms
Diversity of paths to commitment

7. Long-Term Commitments
Cohabitation
Heterosexual cohabitation
Lesbian and gay cohabitation
Marriage

8. Relationship Types Vital marriage Total marriage
Passive-congenial marriage
Devitalized marriage
Conflict-habituated marriage

9. Other Relationship Types
Traditional
Independent
Separate

10. Communication & Satisfaction in Long-Term Commitments
Words
Thoughts
Emotions

11. The Family Life Cycle Establishing a family Enlarging a family
Developing a family
Encouraging independence
Launching children
Postlaunching of children
Retirement

12. Family Life Cycle Continued

13. Guidelines for Effective Communication in Families
Maintain equity in family relationships
Equity – fairness, based on the perception that both people invest equally in a relationship and benefit similarly from their investments
Social exchange theory
Equity theory

14. Make daily choices that enhance intimacy
Show respect and consideration
Don’t sweat the small stuff