Maintenance Strategies for Families
On the sitcom Modern Family, Phil and Claire Dunphy encourage their family to make time for one another and to practice positive, respectful communication. By doing so, Phil and Claire uphold positive family maintenance strategies and cultivate a supportive environment for the family (even when that means getting Phil to do something he doesn’t want to do).
© ABC/Photofest
Many people take their family relationships for granted. Instead of communicating in ways designed to maintain these relationships, people assume that “your family is always there for you” (Vogl-Bauer, 2003). As a consequence, we often treat family members less favorably than we treat individuals who have no biological or legal connection to us. But all family relationships need constant maintenance to be sustained. Three strategies that help you foster your bonds are positivity, assurances, and self-disclosure (Vogl-Bauer, 2003).