"Home Is where you are loved the most and act the worst" - Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Each day in class I've been learning more and more about families. Each time we talk about something new I can't help but relate it to my own family, and even the one I want to have in the future. There are plenty of theories that describe families and how they interact with others. Here are the major ones:

Systems Theory- Every member of a family has a role. Whether it's being the family driver, or being the outgoing adventurous person, or even the shy kid who always has to be the one to do the chores. You may not even know it but if you were to leave your family for a few days and then come back, you would instantly slip back into your role. In systems theory the the family is seen as a whole and not just as individual members.

Exchange Theory- Costs Vs. Reward. Have you ever heard someone say "You owe me"? In families this could mean that because you used your money, time, or energy to help someone, then you feel like you should get something back in return. We always want to have a greater benefit than cost.

What we need to see is that there shouldn't always be a reward. Helping others is a reward in and of itself. Even if the person doesn't say thank you, you know what you did and someday they will too.

Symbolic Interaction Theory- This is all about how we perceive things. For example, a man who thinks negatively about parenthood might find himself becoming more happy and enthusiastic about it as he interacts with his children. Or, a woman may get very jealous if she see's her boyfriend flirting with another girl, when in reality her boyfriend has always been completely devoted and faithful to her.

Conflict Theory- This is often used for social class and gender. Individuals from different groups have struggles with one another, each trying to gain something in their favor. In this theory everyone is competing.

All of these theories can be seen in our own families. I see it in mine and sometimes I'm the reason why it's happening. What we need to remember is the love we have for each other. Don't let the hard times become the only times in your family.