This week I learned about family system theories. One thing that I thought was interesting was the work of Salvador Minuchin, a family systems theorist. According to Salvador Minuchin a family is functional or dysfunctional based upon it’s abilities to adapt to various stressors, which in turn, rests upon the clarity and appropriateness of its subsystem boundaries. It is important to have boundaries in a relationship because when we don’t have boundaries or when we have diffuse boundaries our marriages and family relationships become fragile. We did a little activity to demonstrate Minuchin’s theory about a family and it’s abilities to adapt to stressors. We had about five or six people stand in a circle and hold hands. Then they all leaned back to sustain balance. Our Instructor then would walk around and put his hands on one of their shoulders and pull back to show stress. When this happened the others had to keep a tight grasp one each other’s hands and balance themselves to compensate for the newly added stress. After doing this several times we made some observations. As problems or ‘stressors’ arose within the family, their bonds grew tighter. Sometimes when they were going through the process it hurt, but it saved a family member from falling away. When they all leaned back it showed that they were developing and strengthening trust in their family members. We noticed that when problems arose other family members encouraged each other saying things like, “Don’t worry we got you.” Their problems became easier when they continued to make their bonds tighter. Sometimes the things you do to fix things may hurt, but the benefits out way the costs. I believe that it is important to do things that will strengthen our family bonds and support our family members. As we do this our trust and love for each other will grow and we will be able to experience greater happiness and joy in life.