WHAT IS FAMILY STRUCTURES AND LEGACIES?, BUT WHY IS INSTILLED TO US THAT WE NEED A FAMILY?
Simply, because in a family we can be who we are without fear of rejection, we are supported to discover what it means to be a person, we have parents and siblings who are willing to risk themselves in order to help one another in any way and in all circumstances.
We, Filipinos, are familial in nature which means that our outlook in life, attitude, behavior, morals and values are strongly influenced by our family. These influences can be observed in the lives of every member of the family in many ways.
TYPES OF FAMILY STRUCTURE The traditional structure of a family is now being transformed due to demographic and socio-cultural change through the years. Below are the different types of family structure as described by Villanueva (2016)
FAMILY LEGACIES
FAMILY LEGACIES Your family’s beliefs, attitudes and values that have been passed on from one generation to another. That is what we call FAMILY LEGACIES. The family beliefs, attitudes and values are unconsciously passed on by parents and imbibed by children without questions. The impact of those family practices to our spirituality, emotion an socialization tend to be ignored because of our total submission to authorities and of our belief that our parents want only the best for us. It is in our family where we acquire the foundation of our faith, where we are trained to be resilient, stay positive in the midst of life’s struggles and demonstrate unlimited love and respect, coordination, compassion and social interactions.
CHAGING FAMILY LEGACIES
CHANGING FAMILY LEGACIES In one of the articles posted in www.msn.com entertainment column, the famous actor Will Smith shared how his daughter Willow changed him. Will Smith became a better father after Willow’s cry for help: ‘She shaved her head bald’ Will Smith has revealed that it took his daughter Willow shaving her head bald for him to realise he wasn’t a good father. The Hollywood actor’s teenage daughter found fame in 2010 at the tender age of 11 with her monster hit Whip Your Hair. However, the gruelling demands of touring soon started to take their toll and she desperately longed to be a carefree child again.
It is a fact that as one gets older there are beliefs,attitudes and values that are changed and discarded as result of society’s influences and personal experiences. A member of the family may feel disloyal to the family if he start rejecting or changing some of their values. The family may or may not aggresively resist the changes. Definitely,there will be misunderstanding in the family as one insist of what he wants and the other one insist his. This should not be happening to our family. Harmonious relationship and respect should be maintained.So what should be done?
WHAT IS GENOGRAM? A genogram is a graphic representation of a family structure across 3 or more generations that displays detailed data on relationships among individuals. The genogram “illustrates graphically that relationships are ongoing, that families have histories, and that the family history influences each family member’s present as as his/her future” (Bahr, 1990). Characterristics carried from one generation to another are called “GENERATIONAL TRANSMISSIONS”.
Transmissions can be genetic, such as inherited diseases or physical characteristics, or they can come from environment or social influences, such as traditions from a family’s cultural heritage, religion, or communication patterns, and beliefs about the world. Genograms have also been applied in education and religious counseling (Bahr, 1990) and in generating a sense of identity and kinship, to promote an in genealogical research (Doxey, 1993). Genograms provide extensive information on families, including basic details like name, gender, birth and death dates, education, occupation, life events, chronic illnesses, social behaviors, emotional relationships, and disorders like alcoholism and depression. They can vary significantly due to the type of data included.
Genograms are family trees that help understand family relationships and connections. They can be used for various purposes, such as tracing roots, identifying illnesses, or understanding family deaths. To create a genogram, focus on specific information, such as academic recognations or cancer history. To set a limit, consider the number of generations needed to represent. List questions to ask yourself and family members, ensuring pertinent information is obtained without wasting time and effort. Additional questions may arise during interviews. How to make a Genogram 1. Decide on what you want to learn from a genogram
2. Start gathering information of your family history. To conduct a family genogram, start by gathering information from your immediate family and identifying who should be asked specific questions about family relationships and memorale events. Be sensitive and meticulous in taking notes, especially when interviewing family members. Clarify their stories and ask clarifying questions to encourage them to share more. From the conversation, you will learn about the familial and emotional relationships within the family. Respect their privacy and be sensitive when discussing certain topics. The internet and social media can also be used to gather additional information. Check family pictures and videos on social media platforms like Facebook, Isntagram, and Twitter to identify overlooked information or fill gps in your genogram. If using the information gathered from the internet, verify its authenticity to ensure accuracy.
3. Design your genogram To create a genogram, use standard symbols to understand information and relationships based on data. A chart of symbols and a sample genogram are provided for reference. These symbols represent family relationships, interactions, emotional relationships, sexual and physical abuse, mental and physical disorders, and illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. They also indicate family conflicts, closeness, separation, divorce, emotional relationships, sexual and physical abuse, and mental and physical disorders.
Creating a family genogram involves gathering informtion for the first time, but it’s important to handle the information responsibly. It helps uncover hidden secrets and vague family matters. Using the information to fill in the genogram helps discover patterns and relationships, but avoid making hasty assumptions or concluding. It’s crucial to secure the completed genogram, maintaining confidentiality of family members to prevent embarrassing or harmful information. Remember, you’re part of the genogram, so protect your family.