I need a response to two discussion questions.
Discussion Post Guidelines:
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Acknowledge your classmates’ posts.
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Build upon these posts by providing additional details, statistics, ideas, perspectives, or links to interesting, relevant articles.
Conclude with a question or new idea to further stimulate the discussion
1.
The interaction of the family does impact each member of its unit. When we look at the Reily family, they already have a structural break down which includes the parents’ divorce, the son’s rebellion in his behavior not to listen to parental restrictions on curfew also the lack of respect that the brother gives his sister in communicating with her. The son also feels that his input is not valued and so he does not want to contribute to the welfare of the family. The mother feels like an outsider when it comes to her children with respects to the fact that she has lost custody of the two children. The only positive thing with this family is that they have committed to therapy, so there is still some hope.
The changes in the family structure should come from a positive approach which the clinician tries to incorporate with the father. First, by placing himself outside of the children’s conversation, so that he can get a broader look at the dynamics of the two interacting with each other. Helping the father not feel as if he has to be the authoritative parent in every conversation. The counselor is helping the father to become more of an asset to each child then to just be on one side and alienating the other child. This would help the family as a whole to come together so that no one feels left out or isolated. The counselor then introduces the mother not as an outsider but as an integral part of the family unit making her feel a part of the whole unit eventually knitting the complete family back together again. In some cases, this takes time, but as long as you have the bases of the family wanting to become whole then you have somewhere to start.
2.
The current American society is highly heterogeneous, with families comprising mixed cultures, and general interactions at schools, workplaces, religious associations, and other social communities also expose people to more cultures. These influences usually shape people’s identities and family relationships, making it a critical factor that counselors must understand for effective and efficient counseling. Gaining this multicultural sense requires counselors to have self-reflective abilities (Joseph et al., 2023). This becomes a critical requirement because counselors should always approach clients in an open-minded and non-judgmental manner. However, achieving these abilities also requires one to be aware of their cultural assumptions.
Structural family therapy (SFT) is a psychotherapy method by Salvador Minuchin, addressing different problems in functioning within a family. Family structure is defined to shape interactions amid cultural complexity, as shown in the two videos. In the interview, Salvador Minuchin highlights that family issues usually arise from poorly defined hierarchies and boundaries (PsychotherapyNet, 2012). Aspects like emotional expression, norms relating to discipline, authority, and gender roles can be different in diverse cultural settings. Various transitions in a family, including divorce, relocation, or remarriage, highlight this complexity. For example, these changes affect the family structure and norms, thus affecting the foundation upon which the family was built. However, scholars have researched various ways counselors can enhance their service delivery in the current diverse society. Genograms have particularly come in handy in helping counselors chart relationships, roles, and patterns of their family members and clients across different generations (Joseph et al., 2023). This approach is crucial and highly beneficial in counseling since these cultural values, such as hierarchy, collectivism, and gender roles, can be primarily realized visually, and generally provide a more profound insight into how different cultures shape behaviors, identity, and decision making in different generations.
Lastly, changes in a family structure and stability can disrupt factors like boundaries and parental roles, thus affecting the well-being of the children while causing distress among the parents. Additionally, SFT is fundamental in mapping different family dynamics, hence allowing for the implementation of techniques relevant for restructuring interactions among family members. Also, a family should adopt new routines, clear expectations, and enhance open communication among the members to facilitate the transition process (RockinChikk, 2012). Counselors can facilitate families in these transitions by detecting areas of stress, encouraging self-expression, and finding alternative means for group members to redefine their roles more healthily. Therefore, an effective approach to SFT is essential to providing a framework for navigating various challenges and promoting healthier interactions in families.
References
Joseph, B., Dickenson, S., McCall, A., & Roga, E. (2023). Exploring the therapeutic effectiveness of genograms in family therapy: A literature review.
The Family Journal,
31(1), 21-30.
PsychotherapyNet. (2012).
Salvador Minuchin on Family Therapy Interview. [Video] YouTube.
RockinChikk. (2012).
Structural family therapy example. [Video] YouTube.
3.
After taking the multicultural counseling course, I have developed a broader understanding of my own culture and how culture impacts all aspects of one’s life. I believe culture to be any influence in an individuals’ life that shapes their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors. There are very few aspects of a person’s identity that doesn’t impact how they move through life. While we often focus on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and religion, there are many more aspects to one’s culture. Our reading references institutions, traditions and rituals that knowledge is maintained and communicated through time. These components create a sense of likeness and difference between individuals and communities. The inputs to create one’s cultural identity can be as broad as their country of origin or as nuanced as how they learned to communicate within their family unit. For example, a child raised in an emotionally volatile household may believe that yelling is the only way to communicate importance. This belief can be passed on from generation to generation creating a culture of verbal violence or hostility.
One of the interesting points from exploring Structural Theory is understanding the covert and overt rules in how family members interact. The subsystems within a family determine relationships, communication and expectations for interactions. As the family expands, rules are adopted and change based on the circumstances and events the family experiences. Children learn from an early age the spoken and unspoken rules of how the family is expected to act, handle conflict and behave. Boundaries, rules and roles are formed consciously and subconsciously. These components formed patterns of how the family interacts and these patterns become known and comfortable. When change takes place, the family will often go to lengths to maintain the known and comfortable patterns. A counselor can assist in joining the family to observe, assess and make family structures visible. Utilizing enactment and role playing can assist families in finding new structures, boundaries and rules that can ease the discomfort of the change they are experiencing. By challenging and restructuring the existing patterns the family can develop new interactions that help the family function in their new normal.
4.
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Module 2 Discussion – Structural Family Therapy & Multicultural Awareness
Watching the
Reilly Family clip helped me see how a family’s
structure shapes every move they make. In the video, the parents sit apart while the teenage daughter leans close to her younger brother. That seating alone shows a
loose parental subsystem and a tight sibling alliance. Because the parents are not working as a team, the kids step into adult space—arguing, setting rules, and even calming Mom when Dad withdraws. The therapist first
joins the family by matching their everyday talk and then
rearranges seats so Mom and Dad sit together and the children sit sidebyside. That small shift gives the parents their proper role and lowers the kids’ tension. It proves Minuchin’s point that “changing the structure changes the symptoms.”
The interview with
Salvador Minuchin drove that idea deeper. He explains that he started structural therapy because he wanted practical ways to help families, especially those under social stress. He looks for clear hierarchies, strong but flexible boundaries, and space for every member to speak. He also reminds us that the therapist must “join with the family’s culture first, not fight it”. n other words, you respect the family’s customs—whether they come from ethnicity, religion, or neighborhood—before suggesting change.
These videos tie right into this week’s theme of
multicultural awareness. Today, culture is more than race or country of origin. Kids juggle school norms, sports team values, online slang, and maybe two household languages. Adults meet the same mix at work, church, and social media. When a family faces big change—divorce, remarriage, a child coming out, or a move across state lines—these layers of culture can clash. If the therapist ignores them, the plan will fail.
How structure affects interaction
· A
clear parent subsystem (like parents on the same side of rules) gives kids room to be kids.
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Diffuse boundaries (parents acting like friends) push children to take adult roles, often causing anxiety or actingout.
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rigid hierarchy (one parent dominating everyone) can silence voices and stall problemsolving.
Easing structural transitions
1.
Map the new structure together. Simple drawings of “who is in charge of what” let everyone see the plan.
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Set family rituals. Weekly meetings, shared meals, or game nights rebuild connection after a split or move.
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Clarify roles out loud. Teens often need to hear, “You don’t have to parent your little brother; that’s our job.”
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Invite outside supports. Coaches, faith leaders, or trusted relatives can reinforce the new hierarchy.
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Stay curious about culture. Ask how school, faith, or social media rules shape each person’s view before offering advice.
In short, the Reilly session shows
how to spot structural trouble, while Minuchin’s words remind us
why culture matters when we fix it. Using both, we can meet families where they are, respect their many cultures, and guide them toward a structure that lets every member grow.
References
Rockinckikk. (2017, March 14).
Structural family therapy example: The Reilly family [Video]. YouTube.
Psychotherapy.net. (2011, February 24).
Salvador Minuchin on family therapy [Video]. YouTube.
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Reply
5.
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As a husband to four kids with a wide range between them, business owner, and homeschooler, multicultural awareness is something that we actively engage with on multiple fronts. Living in the Memphis area, my family is constantly exposed to a rich and diverse cultural environment, whether it’s through church, community activities, or sports. Even though we homeschool, we’re very intentional about ensuring our kids experience and engage with different perspectives, especially as they get older and transition into high school, college, and other settings.
My wife and I often talk with our kids about the values and beliefs that guide our family, but we also encourage them to be open and respectful when they encounter different worldviews. I’ve found that growth happens when you’re able to have honest, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations without needing to win an argument. This can be hard in my household because we are all pretty stubborn at times. In our businesses, we work with people from many backgrounds, and being able to hear where someone is coming from, even when I don’t agree, has been a game-changer for building trust and mutual respect.
From a structural standpoint, our family dynamic definitely relies on clear roles and consistent expectations, which help everyone feel more secure, even when life throws curveballs. It is far from perfect, and we have experienced changes and challenges. We’ve found that the keys to managing transitions have been honest communication, flexibility, and making sure that each family member feels seen and heard. That’s something I think Structural Theory tries to embody. If the framework of the family is stable and supportive, then the individuals within it are more likely to thrive, even in times that seem uncertain or chaotic.
References
Capuzzi, D. & Stauffer, M. (2021).
Foundations of couples, marriage, and family counseling (2nd ed.). Wiley Professional Development.
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6.
In a world that’s so diverse today, our lives are influenced by culture, experiences, and our surroundings. I grew up in a busy household in Washington, DC, where my mother struggled with Bipolar Disorder, and I had a severe speech impediment. My grandmother played a big role in raising us. During tough times, family roles and boundaries often become blurred. A third-grade teacher saw past my speech issues and inspired me. From her, I learned the importance of empathy and understanding. Just like in multicultural conversations, strong families succeed by listening, having clear roles, and showing respect, especially during times of change, loss, or transition.
1. How does the structure of the family impact the interaction of each member of the family unit?
The way a family is significantly structured affects how its members interact with each other. Having clear roles, boundaries, and leadership helps create good communication and emotional security. When the family structure is balanced, parents can guide their children effectively, and children feel secure in their roles. However, if boundaries are too strict or too loose, it can create power struggles, emotional distance, or confusion. For example, children may feel stressed if they are expected to behave like adults in a chaotic environment. Ultimately, the health of a family’s structure influences trust, connection, and their ability to handle problems effectively.
2. When families survive changes in family structure, what steps can ease this transition?
Family changes like divorce, remarriage, loss, or blending can upset family roles and create emotional stress. To help manage these transitions, families need to communicate openly and clearly define roles, while also establishing new routines that foster connection. Receiving support through counseling can help you process your feelings and rebuild trust. Being respectful of each family member’s culture and values also helps create a stronger bond. By taking these thoughtful steps, families can find stability and adapt to these changes.
