Lecture Outline for March 23, 2000
Family Communication


I. Definitions and Types of Families

• A. Family Types
  
  1. Two-parent biological family
  2. Single-parent family
  3. Blended family
  4. Extended family
  5. Voluntaristic family
  6. Committed partners
  7. Co-parenting
  
  
• B. Current families vs. families-of-origen
  
• C. The family as a system
  
  
• D. General definition
  
  

II. Functions

• A. Primary functions
  
  1. Cohesion
  2. Adaptability
  
  
• B. Supporting Functions
  
  1. Family Images
  2. Family Themes
  3. Boundaries
     
  
  
  

III. Creation of Family Meanings

• A. Meanings in relationships
• B. Communication patterns that influence family meanings
  
  1. Family-of-origen influences
  2. Family communication rules
  3. Types of family stories
     

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