Abstract
The paper addresses the family dynamics of the Griswold family in National Lampoon's classic parody of Christmas films, "Christmas Vacation," using Dorthea Orem's model of universal self-care. The paper provides an experiment into the functionality of a fictional family through exploring the characters of Clark Griswold (husband and father), Ellen Griswold (wife and mother), Audrey Griswold (teenage daughter), Rusty Griswold (son in early adolescence) and Eddie Johnson (cousin-in-law).

Outline:
Introduction
Cultural Assessment of Family Structure
Universal Self-Care Requisites
Developmental Self-Care Requisites
Nursing Systems Used to Meet These Issues
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Griswold family is a traditional nuclear family consisting of father, mother, and two siblings (male and female). Typically, all interaction within this family is expressed between the four primary members. In the film, circumstances are altered so that the immediate family is changed and multiple members of the extended family are brought into stay within the same household. This affects the dynamics of the immediate family and impedes normal behavior. According to Orem's theories, it is now no longer possible for the Griswold family to engage in their conventional stable roles within this setting. However, the actions of the immediate Griswold family indicate that their roles are highly defined and that they are attempting to conform to them. This is especially evident in the actions of Clark and Ellen."

Tags:self-care, roles, social, interactions, character, traits, behaviors, Orem

Abstract
The paper presents the argument that the element of quasi-family relationships within urban gangs accounts for their relative popularity in underprivileged communities and also for their long-term resistance to efforts at reducing their influence. The paper reveals that gangs recruit members from the late-childhood age group, with the effect that gang members are literally socialized and raised by their elder fellow gang members in exactly the same manner as other children are socialized and raised by their biological families.

Outline:
Introduction
Discussion

From the Paper
"In contemporary American society, the image of gangs is almost always very negative, mainly because today's gangs are predominantly, if not exclusively, criminal in nature. Typically, urban gangs engage in extensive criminal activity ranging from petty theft, street-level drug sales, and armed robbery of persons to involvement of large-scale criminal narcotics distribution, weapons dealing, and murder (Pinizzotto, Davis, et al., 3-4). In that respect, modern street gangs may differ somewhat from many of the street gangs prevalent in American society five or six decades ago. One could argue that the latter were more functions of primary deviance with a certain involvement in periodic secondary forms of deviance (Macionis, 2003), because virtually all contemporary gangs are so heavily and continually involved in and dependant on serious criminal activities."

Tags:loyalty, socialization, acceptance, violence, crime

Abstract
The parable of, "A Man Had Two Sons" is the longest parable in the Bible. This paper examines the family dynamics in the parable. It explains the concept of Transitional Analysis, a method used in psychoanalysis to understand human communication. The paper then contends that by using Transitional Analysis, we can uncover the dynamics of personality development in the parable, "A Man Had Two Son".

From the Paper
"Simply put, when we communicate, we are constantly exchanging strokes, and how we send, receive, and interpret the strokes determine how we interpret the data. Therefore, from the first conversation the younger son has with his father, until the older brother and father speak about the older brother attending the feast, there is a barrage of verbal and non verbal communication taking place."

Tags:Child, Adult, Berne

Abstract
The paper examines Tillie Olsen's short story, "I Stand Here Ironing," and Susan Musgrave's free form poem, "You Didn't Fit," and the differences between these two works. The paper highlights how both authors use metaphors to convey their message of family dynamics, but through a different point of view. The paper shows how these two perspectives allow us to understand an important topic from different angles and enhance our appreciation of family relationships.

From the Paper
"Ask any parent and they will tell you with certainty that everything they say will be repeated by their child. It is the subject of countless jokes and will always bring an appreciative laugh from any given audience. Whether it is the toddler repeating something inappropriate at the worst moment or the teen remembering your best advice when you want to hear it the least, it is a phenomena we are all familiar with.
"Beyond the humorous aspects lies the real truth the reason why there is always a nervous smile behind the laughter or a painfully knowing nod. Everything we do as parents shapes our children into the people they become. The relationship between parent and child, and between siblings, are referred to as family dynamics and the study thereof can help us understand a great deal about ourselves."

Tags:relationships, parent, child, metaphor, narration

Abstract
This paper studies blended and step families, exploring their potential benefits and unique obstacles. The paper stresses the importance of counseling prior to remarriage, particularly when children are involved.

From the Paper
"From adoption and surrogate parenting to increasing rates of remarriage and same-sex parents, the number of diverse family constellations in United States society continues to grow. Such constellations offer enormous benefits as well as ..."

Tags:blended family, stepfamilies, children, remarriage, diversity, religion, values

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
In this article, the writer discusses the effects of a physical disability on the family unit. The writer looks at whether family members and others in the medical and mental health fields are doing enough to ensure that patients that must deal with disabilities get the best care possible for all of their needs. The writer maintains that family members and medical professionals often look only at the physical aspects of the disability and therefore they do not do enough to study and help the emotional and behavioral issues that may also come along with certain physical disabilities, such as anxiety stemming from the diagnosis and the worry that comes along with that diagnosis. The writer concludes that more focus on specific disabilities would likely also be very helpful when it comes to looking at mental and emotional health issues and how family members react to those kinds of problems.

Outline:
Main Area of Study
Brief Review of the Literature
Critique of the Literature

From the Paper
"The main issue that must be dealt with here is whether family members and others in the medical and mental health fields are doing enough to ensure that patients that must deal with disabilities get the best care possible for all of their needs. As has been mentioned, family members and medical professionals often look only at the physical aspects of the disability and therefore they do not do enough to study and help the emotional and behavioral issues that may also come along with these types of physical disabilities, such as anxiety stemming from the diagnosis and the worry that comes along with that diagnosis. When someone has a physical disability that can be cured, the suffering from it and the problems that they face with it are usually relatively short-lived and overall these kinds of physical disabilities do not contribute to long-term pain and significant mental or emotional problems.
"However, where a chronic or permanent disability is concerned, patients and their families must deal with the physical disability for a much greater period of time, and the emotional stress that this places on the family can become very uncomfortable and painful for them if there is no effective way of treating it or no outlet for the feelings that the patient and the family often has where the physical disability is concerned."

Tags:treatment, disabled, patient, cope

Abstract
This paper introduces a New Zealand family with mixed racial heritage. It reviews and analyzes the social and emotional factors that are the source of dysfunction the family is experiencing and concludes with recommendations for a step-by-step process intended to help to rebuild a level of positive functionality into the structure of the family.

From the Paper
"The behavioral difficulties between the mom and dad are now affecting the children, and as the older boy reaches his teen years, the natural developmental changes are only further energizing the feelings of anger, and lack of stability he has received from his home. The only time the father came to the office on his own was to complain about the treatment his son was receiving at school. It seems that his mixed heritage is adding its own weight to the son's lack of positive relational interaction with the boy's peers. It will be only a matter of time, and biology before the daughter will likely begin to experience some of the same problems. The home stability is further jeopardized by children from the father's extended family staying with them for periods of time."

Tags:behaviorial, difficulties, affecting, children, developmental, changes, anger, stability, maori, pakeha, aroha, manaakitanga

Abstract
This paper provides an analysis of parents' impact on children in three dramas: William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie", and Lillian Hellman's "The Little Foxes". While Romeo, Juliet, and Laura succumb to the negative influence of their parents, it is argued that Tom and Alexandra, from "The Little Foxes", are able to use the support of family members to confront and reject the negative influence of their respective mothers.

From the Paper
"For many individuals, the family system represents a support network where encouragement, understanding and love are often shared among family members. For a number of others, familial influence is far from positive and quite often influences development issues in members. As Fristad and Clayton maintain, there are two general types of studies examining familial influence on child psychopathology. The first of these focuses on genetic transmission of pathology and the second of these is environmental influences, such as impaired communication or expressed emotion."

Tags:support, nurturing, greed, illusions, fragility, ambition, poverty, feuds, suicide, meddling, love

Abstract
This paper desribes problems encountered in interracial marriages, and methods of conflict resolution. It considers cultural and religious belief systems, values, opinions of family and friends and other factors that differ from one race to another and may cause conflict in a relationship.

From the Paper
"Multiracial families are becoming more common in a world where travel and immigration are so frequent. Interracial marriages can bring unique problems on top of those already experienced by intraracial married couples; trust, money issues, children, work, where to live, cultural and religious issues and concern for children of a mixed marriage. There may be opposition to the marriage from family and friends for either partner. (Stokes) If the couple live in a cosmopolitan city, there is less stress but in smaller towns..."

Tags:interracial marriage, conflict