Abstract
The paper looks at several studies that argue that technology improves communication among families. The paper discusses the modern technologies that allow constant communication with family members, help children gain more independence, bridge distance gaps and improve family-school relationships. The paper reaches the conclusion that technology appears to be an excellent way to communicate with family members, however, it should not replace face-to-face communication.

Outline:
Does Technology Improve Family Communication?
Bridging Distance Gaps
Technology Fosters Independence
New Opportunities to Keep Tabs on Family Members
Improving Family-School Relationships
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There is no doubt about it--the way we communicate with our family members today has changed dramatically in recent years. Just a decade ago, text messaging, blogging, and emails were not methods of family communication. Today, they are widely used by families around the world. For example, parents use text messages to remind children of their curfews. Children send emails to their parents to give them their Christmas lists. College students use Web cameras to say good night to their family member who live hundreds of miles away. These are just a few of the many ways in which technology has changed the way families communicate with one another in today's modern world."

Tags:independence, family, school, Internet, email, texts

Abstract
This in-depth literature review focuses on family communication and its consequences. The literature review provides information on research pertaining to the following areas: parent-infant communication, parent and early and middle age children communication, parent and adolescent communication, and elderly parents and children/grandchildren communication.

From the Paper
"Family communication represents the way that parents and children exchange verbal and non-verbal information. Healthy family communication leads to positive family dynamics and promotes the development of ..."

Tags:development, abuse, relationships, peers, Internet, family dynamics, health, psychology, neurology, academics, school, sexuality, substance use, behavior

Abstract
This paper will examine the intergenerational communication between parents and children as a sub-system of the larger system of the family unit. It will be argued that this relationship cannot be understood in isolation from other relationships such as the child's interactions with her peers. In this analysis, it will be seen that only a holistic approach to the topic of communication within the family can hope to pull together the many stands of the family relationship(s).

Abstract
This paper describes how schools can address family and community issues affecting elementary students, using drug use as an example of such an issue.

From the Paper
"Family and community issues affecting elementary students are as important to schools as they are to the students, their families and the community, so schools need to address them where possible. One way to accomplish this is to start initiatives that include the family and the community so that all three can work together to resolve the issues. An example of this type of problem would be drug use. Drug use affects the student at the family..."

Tags:school, community, elementary students, family, drug use

Abstract
This paper relates that the greatest challenge to family communication in American in this day and age is maintaining a family structure that provides sufficient support and stability for individual family members.
The paper further relates that healthy conflict free interaction maintains the family structure and provides the most effective support and stability to individuals within the family. The paper then
demonstrates a three part clinical resolution technique for interpersonal conflict that involves first drawing direct attention to the conflict, simulating role reversal and experiencing empathy, and then offering an apology.

From the Paper
"Another technique is role reversal and empathy (Blatner, 2002). This is also an essential process for the committed family members: it requires imagining what it is like to be in the other person's shoes. The empathy reaction is a direct alternative to the conflict causing reaction of repeating one's own opinion or attacking the other person's position within the interpersonal conflict. Thinking about the others feelings will remove that whole level of obstacle. "

Tags:interpersonal, communication, family, structure, conflict

Abstract
In this article the writer discusses that separation among military families is acknowledged as a source of stress for both the deployed family member and those members who stay at home. The writer notes that advances in communications have the ability to promote increased communication between the deployed member and their family. It is hypothesized that improved accessibility in communications is believed to reduce the stresses associated with deployment.

Tags:communications, military, deployment

Abstract
The paper explains how family therapy in general is concerned with addressing predictable patterns of behavior and interactions between family members. The paper details the various forms of family therapy; structural, strategic and the Milan systemic school of family therapy. The paper explains that each of these approaches to family therapy are similar in that they work to help family members overcome negative or abnormal behaviors. They work to help develop more "normal" interactions and relationships among family members. The paper also discusses psychopathology and how it often arises from paradoxes or contradictions in family communication among family members.

Outline:
Part I - Overview Family Therapy Systems
Part II - Psychopathology and Paradoxes

From the Paper
"There are varying approaches to family therapy. Strategic, systemic and structural approaches tend to focus similarly on identifying certain elements of family interactions in the course of therapy including the "how, when, where and what" of therapy as opposed to the "why" of therapy (Haley, 2006; Todd, 2005; Colapinto, 1991; Erskine Edu, 2006). This means therapy is generally guided by the belief that behavior is determined by consequences of one's actions, and thus the focus of therapy includes increasing positive behaviors within the context of the family and the family's interactions."

Tags:structural, strategic, Milan, systemic, psychopathology

Abstract
This paper looks at the subject of group dynamics in social groups, focusing on family relationships. The writer discusses the types of
communication patterns and relationship dynamics associated with group cohesion and maintenance as those concepts are defined in the psychological literature pertaining to social groups. The paper includes information from various studies that have been carried out as well as observations carried out by the paper's author on his own family circumstances.

Outline:
Introduction - Group Cohesion and Maintenance Roles in Families
Communication Patterns within the Group Role Concept in the Family
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In many respects, cohesions and maintenance the family group represents one of the most functions of communications within the group (Myers & Spencer, 2004). This is likely even more true of families than of other types of groups, mainly because all family group members participate in the evolution of communication patterns and also because the maintenance of relationships within the group is one of the principal purposes of the group. Conversely, in most non-family groups, even the most fundamental social relationships within the group merely serve a larger function defined by the stakes of individuals in the mutual pursuit of group goals."

Tags:interactions, group, communication

Abstract
Over the last 100 years or so, the idea of what makes up a family unit has changed over the world. This paper studies the results of the important social changes which have occurred in the United States in the emergence of alternative family units. The paper shows that these social changes have affected the relationships between people in families, the communication between these people and the very structure of the families themselves. Two specific changes are discussed: (1) the arrangement of domestic partnerships wherein a man and woman reside together and may share in all of the duties and activities that would be common to a husband and wife, however they choose not to marry; and (2) the gay and lesbian families and how they have altered the societal perceptions of what the word 'family' actually means. While these two relationships do not affect everyone in society, they have changed what society thinks about families and marriage in many ways. Because of this, they are two of the most important societal changes that have come about in recent years and are worthy of discussion.

From the Paper
"This change in the term 'family' sometimes helps to pave the way for changes such as domestic partnerships, but it also confuses some of the issues that are important to them because they are not seen as a traditional family unit, and many of the laws are written to protect the traditional 'mother, father, and children' family unit. The forms that a family can take are much broader than they used to be, and although many of them are challenged, more and more of them are beginning to be embraced by society."

Tags:cohabitate, divorce, heterosexual

Abstract
A paper on the subject of Curran's description of a healthy family. The paper explains that communicating with your family is vital in having a family and teaching family members to respect and trust are important in having a healthy family. The paper concludes with a personal account of a family and how they practice Curran's traits of a healthy family.

Tags:traits, healthy