Principles of Social Systems Analytical Essay by Nicky

This paper focuses on developing perspectives, comprehension, and understanding of how changes in the family system interacts in the social system and analyzes, synthesizes and compares information from classical literature related to the family as a system. The paper cites Fontaine's statement that system levels are hierarchically organized, providing a heuristics by which development is viewed as a continuum of ongoing interactive processes. The paper also notes that a functioning family system typically provides physical care, provides nurturance, and directs personality development. The paper concludes that systems theory and social systems theory have been vital in providing the theoretical basis for the understanding of the family as a unit, and in understanding the complex interactions that take place among family members, the communication that occurs, and the changes that families progress through over the family's life-cycle. This paper contains illustrative figures.

Outline:
Introduction
Systems Theory
Social Systems
Social Theory
Family System & Development Theory
Universal Stages
Important Alternative Stages
Summary and Conclusion
Works Cited