Question

Using the family structural theory (see the textbook as a model) how can families created following second marriages learn to function as one? Provide at least one in-citation

Answer 1

"You don't chose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

- Desmond Tutu

"A happy marriage is about three things: memories of togetherness,forgiveness of mistake, and a promise to never give up on each other."

- Surabhi Surendra.

" Second marriage: A triumph of hope over experience."

- Samuel Johnson

Family is a unique social system with its own structure and pattern of communication. These patterns are determined by various factors including parents, grandparents, beliefs, values and personality of each family member. In family structural theory, the family is considered as intergrated whole. It focus on family interactions to understand the structure of the family. The family structure represents the rules that govern the way the family members interact with each other. Family structure refers to family composition, including roles and relationships, how they develop overtime as they accomodate each other.

Divorce and remarriage involves a complex transition that requires the disintegration of one family structure and organization of another. In this creating and merging of family following second marriage, there is generation of new beliefs, values, new relationships to which the couple have to understand and get adjusted. This greatly depends on the developmental level of children, their temperament, quality of environmental support and the willingness to adopt changes and make necessary adjustments. A good support system with foster a healthy relationship between the family members.For such families to function as one the following things should be kept in mind:

• In certain cases, the second marriage is the result of a painful experiences of the initial marriage like domestic violence,death of the spouse. In such cases the person is preoccupied with the emotions of the past. The new family should consider these emotions and should be supportive enough which will help the individual to get adjusted to the changed environments.
• In any circumstance, avoid conversations about the initial marriage untill the individual herself/himself is willing to do so.
• The family expectations should be made clear. For this the rules and regulations of the family should be explained to the individual.
• The individual's ideas, beliefs and values should also be respected.
• Like other member, the individual should be given freedom to work, to express, and to make decisions.
• The couple should be allowed to spend quality time with minimal family interferance.
• If the individual have a child from his/her first marriage, then they should be equally treated with other children of the family and given equal previlleges.
• Accept the diversity of the individual in culture, value and beliefs. Their individual differences should be considered.
• Understand the strength and weakness of the individual. Encourage with positive attitude and help them to overcome their weakness.

References:

1. Essays, UK (Nov 2013). The structural theory of family structure.
2. Study mode research, Family structural theory with second marriage, Dec 10, 2012