Consensual Families

Families high in both conversation and conformity are consensual families . In such families, members are encouraged to openly share their views with one another as well as debate these beliefs. Consensual family communication is marked by high disclosure, attentive listening, and frequent expressions of caring, concern, and support toward one another (Rueter & Koerner, 2008). At the same time, consensual family members are expected to steadfastly share a single viewpoint. Parents in such households typically exert strong control over the attitudes, behaviors, and interactions of their children (Rueter & Koerner, 2008). For example, parents may encourage their children to share their thoughts and feelings about important issues (“What do you think we should do?”) but then make clear that only one perspective (the parents’) is acceptable. Because of their emphasis on conformity, consensual families perceive conflict as intensely threatening. Consequently, they address conflicts as they occur and seek to resolve them as constructively as possible to preserve family unity.