The author contends that the family is the smallest unit of socialization with the most significant effect on individual lives. The effectiveness of a family is based on individuals' ability to work together as one functional unit. When this efficiency lacks in the family system, individuals are likely to be negatively impacted by these eventualities. Compulsive behavioral patterns such as alcoholism and mental illness throw some of the members into a psychological and emotional turmoil that is difficult to cope with. When such imbalances occur within families, such families are regarded as dysfunctional.
In most cases, dysfunctional families remain as such in the course of the member's lifetime. This usually happens unless members, or a third party, understands the cause of the dysfunction and solves it. Dysfunctional families do not offer a healthy environment for the members to flourish and thrive. Usually, members are caught up in cycles of negative behaviors that limit their potential. The rigid rules that characterize dysfunctional families harm the members (Mathews, 1993). In such families, members cannot openly express themselves, are selfish, and are supposed to follow the rules to the dot. Also, members cannot openly communicate with other family members or third parties outside the family environment. As such, members develop ineffective ways of interacting with one another and relating to individuals outside the family. Members who are not willing to follow these unhealthy rules are reprimanded and treated as outcasts.
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Dysfunctional families also prevent members from developing autonomy. Individuals seeking independence are portrayed as selfish since every member is nurtured to act as a collectivity. Besides, their real self is suppressed, and when they make natural human mistakes, they experience feelings of shame and guilt. This happens since dysfunctional families popularize the notion that individuals should be perfect. As such, family members are not allowed to make commission or omission errors at any point in their lives. Therefore, family members develop false identities of the people they are expected to be. Additionally, since families cannot distinguish between individuals and their behaviors, members are likely to be punished severely for who they are. These members are likely to develop feelings of low self-worth, low self-esteem, and negative self-image.
Dysfunctional families result from alcoholism, drug abuse, psychological disturbance, physical/ sexual abuse, and rigidity. Members portray poor communication patterns, low self-esteem, and lack of identity. These dysfunctional patterns are associated with a culture of keeping secrets, inability to express feelings, perfectionism, inability to socialize, and a high tolerance for inappropriate behavior (Mathews, 1993). To cope with the dysfunction, members become lonely, seek approval, are people pleasers, portray inconsistent behavior, control or are controlled by others, have rigid lifestyles, and experience fear of failure. Children are likely to develop psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, anorexia and bulimia nervosa, and substance abuse.
While dysfunctional families do not always cause compulsive behaviors, family processes and communication patterns often determine the likelihood of developing such actions. Dysfunctional families are marked by chaos, unpredictability, and inconsistency. Members live in denial, lack emotional support, portray a lack of trust, autonomy, and self-control, are dependent, and lack a sense of self-worth. Increased dependency breeds substance abuse due to desperation and emotional emptiness.
There is still hope for individuals coming from dysfunctional families to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Developing an own identity is a great step towards living a better life. Also, individuals need to appreciate and express their feelings without making harsh judgments about themselves. Besides, individuals need to develop a positive self-image about themselves by acknowledging their strengths and flaws. They can also lead better lives by celebrating their successes and taking lessons from the failures they have encountered. Individuals can also benefit by joining support groups where people from dysfunctional families share their experiences and derive strength and hope from each other.
Reference
Mathews, D. W. (1993). Dysfunctional families: The problem behind the problem. North Carolina: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.
