Family Systems Theory

10 Pages 2458 Words

Relationships evolve and are continuously changing very much like our climate. The earth changes with time and so do relationships. One of the great wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon, has withstood a multitude of changes for over several million years and is still evolving. The movie Grand Canyon provoked many thoughts and emotions. It is a story linking several socioeconomical relationships of families and friends who live and learn through their adversities. It is a film about social criticism; what is the purpose of life? It is about cultural criticism; what is the world coming to?
The main focus here is on relationships of families and friends. The key concepts of the movie Grand Canyon are best described by levels of differentiation, boundaries, and triangulation modeled by the work of Murray Bowen, the father of family systems theory and, clinical psychologist, David Schnarch.
According to the work of Murray Bowen, the father of family systems theory, differentiation of self is the degree to which a person defines the self as separate from others. It is described on a continuum that ranges from low levels of differentiation, "fusion", to high levels, “clearly defined sense of self”. It is the degree of separation or fusion between the intellectual and emotional systems of the self. A person’s level of differentiation evolves out of the family relationship system. The level of differentiation is the background against which a family and its members live. It is quite stable and varies only slightly as it is passed from generation to generation. The degree to which an adult child family member differentiates from their family of origin is the degree to which they will be able to manage the stress involved in caring for an older adult parent or relative.
Differentiation means being somebody; taking a stand; knowing oneself; risking; putting it out there. Differentiation is for one person in a couple to s...