Cultural Influences On Norms And Expectations In Family Relationships

12 May 2021
 Categories: Relationships & Family, Blog


Culture has a significant impact on family relationships. The impact is attributable to the fact that different cultures have distinct sets of values and ways of life. The cultural influences in family relationships result in varying norms and behaviors among family members. Families are constantly searching for ways to change their relationships and reinforce their family ties as time passes. Relationship and family counselors have made a significant contribution by assisting an increasing number of families in recognizing and addressing cultural influences in family relationships. Moreover, the experts may identify the multiple effects and the impact culture can have on relationships among families from diverse backgrounds. 

Improving Communication Among Family Members

The way people interact with others is unique and takes into account a variety of factors. When you speak to someone, you know your relationship, whether it is with your employer, a friend, or a colleague. Moreover, you are subconsciously aware of the age gap and your relationship's hierarchy, such as a manager and an employer. Such aspects come into play when engaging with others concerning sensitive issues and how they are addressed. The same forces are at work in a family relationship. Different societies have different ways of doing things. Some cultures have a low level of conversation among their members, while others have a high level of conversation. For example, the latter have no limitations on what subjects can be discussed between family members. 

On the other hand, low discussion-focused families are more traditional in terms of what subjects can be explored. The disparities necessitate family counseling to understand cultural influences in family relationships regarding communication differences. Interracial families will benefit immensely from recognizing the different cultural influences in family relationships and how they affect their marriages to structure their communication appropriately. The structures may be useful in very realistic situations, such as dinner table discussions with the kids.

Reinforcing Conflict Resolution Skills

Family counseling is also essential in conflict resolution to control the impact of cultural influences in family relationships. Different societies have different methods for resolving conflicts. Some cultures prefer dispute resolution channels that are rather direct and private, involving only the parties. On the other hand, some communities involve cultural traditions, including outside communication channels through an impartial arbiter. Families with members from various cultures must also consider these specific cultural influences in family relationships to determine whether to resolve their differences alone or with the assistance of family members and practitioners such as therapists.

Understanding Hierarchy and Family Systems

Understanding cultural influences in family relationships will put you in a strong position to relate to one another and mitigate arising conflicts. In some cultural families, men are the heads of the household and have undisputed authority. In others, men and women are equal heads of their homes. It is essential to consider such complexities with the assistance of a competent relationship and family counselor to manage your expectations.

To learn more, seek out information from a cultural influences in family relationships blog.


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