1. Family Communication
Collage
Jessica Hallett
CMS 332
3/27/11

2. Family Type
 My family would be classified as a two-
parent biological family.
 My parents have been married for 27years
and produced two biological children,
myself and my 19 year old brother.
 Though many of my friends are also from
the same type of family, Galvin, Bylund and
Brommel (2008) state, “This type of family
no longer represents the most common
family form in the United States” (p. 7)

3. Communication Functions
 “Each family’s unique
message system provides
the means of dealing with the
major functions that give
shape to family life” (Galvin,
Bylund and Brommel, 2008,
P. 29).
 My family has always been
very close and open.
Everyone within my family
shares there joys and
sorrows with one another.
We spend a very large
amount of time together.
Though we do like to do
some things on our own.
 Looking at the four different
levels of cohesion my family
would most likely be
considered connected.
Galvin, Bylund and Brommel
(2008) explain stating,
“Family members strive for
emotional closeness, loyalty,
and joint involvement with
some individuality.

4. Family Themes and Images
 “Essentially, themes represent a fundamental view of reality and a way of
dealing with this view” (p. 39, Galvin, Bylund & Brommel, 2008).
 My families theme is: Your family will always support you – My family members
are the people I go to with all news, good or bad. I trust their opinions and
know that they will support me no matter what.

5. Family Themes and Images Cont.
 “Every family operates as an image-making or metaphor-creating entity”
(Galvin, Bylund, Brommel, 2008, p. 37)
 Within my family we have a few images that best describe us.
As a whole, a nest or a pack Growing up my mother always described herself
of wolves best explain us. as a mother bear…and proved it many times!

6. Making Meaning
 1.Sarcasm - Sarcasm is used regularly in my household; it is never very vicious it
is just a way we joke around with one another. My brother and father being goofy
in the pictures below:
2.Nurturing Environment - In my household no one is sent to deal with problems or
issues alone, we are always there for one another and are constantly helping solve
each other’s problems. The phrase "Get over it" or "Toughen up" are not used in my
house.

7. Making Meaning Cont.
 3. Hard work is a given not asked of us - Everyone in my house works and
works hard. If a family member is working in the yard we all go out to help. Its
not asked of us it is just expected. We always work together until the job is
done, no matter if it benefits us individually or not.
We all help around the house, like when
the house needed to be painted we all
pitched in.
Growing up in a family business has
made us all hard workers from a young
age. This picture is of my amazing
grandfather, my cousin and myself
when I was very young in our solar
greenhouses my father built.

8. 
Rituals
“Repetition of actions and words carries great meaning, eventually
developing into ongoing family rituals. The special meanings and the
repetitive nature contribute significantly to the establishment and
preservation of a family’s identity or relational culture” (Galvin, Bylund &
Brommel, 2008, p.116).
Some smaller
My family has been going to our camp on Moosehead Lake rituals would be;
for over 20 years. It is one of our most cherished family rituals. My father always
takes me to the
airport when I
travel. It is an
unspoken ritual
but one we both
depend on.
My mother and I
text “I love you
more”, then the
other person will
text “I love you the
most” or “I’m the
mom I win” It’s a
small goofy ritual
but we do it every
single day.

9. Family Roles
 Everyone in my family has a role, but we are also a family that does not see the
point in only one person being responsible for one thing. For example, both my
parents work full time, so they are both family providers. My brother and I feel
comfortable talking to either one of them about our problems and emotions. We
work more as a team, all filling in for one another at one point or another. Below is
how I best describe our intertwining roles:
Lisa (Mother) - Financial
Provider, emotional nurturing
(hugs, kisses etc.), financial
planner, handy around the
house.
Jeff (Father) - Financial
provider, realist, the joker, the
persons we go to when we
need to talk about future
decisions, our cars, or general
life experience. He is very
handy around the house. He is
also the main cook in our
family, always making dinner
and breakfast.

10. Family Roles Cont.
Lee (brother)- the calm and collected member, he is never worried. Hard worker, the brain of
all random information. The rebel of the family, he is always getting into harmless trouble.
Myself (daughter/Sister) - The want to be “princess.” The worrier, I worry about everything.
The crier (I require a lot of support and time from all family members). The overly responsible
person, emotional support for the entire family, my brothers tutor, the academic child.

11. Family Typology
 “Pluralistic families, high in conversation orientation and low in conformity,
have open communication and emotional supportiveness in their families”
(Galvin, Bylund &Brommel, 2008, P. 177).
Our family is very open. We encourage each other to talk about everything, good or
bad.

12. Decision Making
 “Decision Making is the process by which family members make choices,
reach judgment, or arrive at solutions that end uncertainty” (Galvin, Bylund
&Brommel, 2008, P.201).
Decision making is a team effort in
our family. We all respect each
others opinions and try to always
consult one another when a
dilemma has come up.
When looking at decision making
styles our family most always uses
consensus, using compromise and
flexibility to reach an agreement.
However my brother and I
definitely look up to our parents
and take their advice very
seriously.

13. 
Conflict
Though my family rarely fights, when we do everyone is involved. Gavlin,
Bylund & Brommel (2008) state, “Because of family member’s
interdependence, a conflict between two members of the family will affect other
members” (P. 219).
 Common styles of conflict in our household are collaboration or compromise.
No one enjoys being mad or tense with one another so we work hard to find
answers.
 When conflict does accrue we normally all take some private time to think
about what has happened and then come back to discuss and solve the issue.

14. My Personal Definition of Family
 At this point in my life I would define family as a support system and the
people who make us who we are. I am lucky enough to have always had an
amazing relationship with my parents and brother. I grew up in a family
business so I learned quickly how to communicate with all of my family
members including aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. Though my blood
relatives are incredibly important to me and the people I depend on; I do not
think that being biologically related is necessarily important. Family friends that
are my parent’s age, my friends, my husband and his family have also proved
to inspire and shape me as well as supported me throughout hard times.
Family is the people who will do anything to protect you and have your best
interest in mind. They stick with you no matter what and do not disappear at
signs of trouble. At this point in my life blood relation doesn’t define family;
support, dependability, communication and love do.
Here are some pictures of my “family”:

15. My “Family”

16. Works Cited
 http://pixdaus.com/pics/1273439381UY8p7kl.jpg
 http://www.firstpeople.us/pictures/wolves/1152x900/wolves-05-
1152x900.html
 http://media.photobucket.com/image/image%20of%20a%20open%20f
amily/Nightprowlkitty/simpFamily_Vertical2f_72.jpg
 http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/collaboration-hands.jpg