Generations and Generational Processes, part 2

Marriage and Family Relations

HPER F258

Kathleen R. Gilbert

The Genogram: A Tool for Understanding

Processes in the Family Genograms are charts or graphs that

diagram the biological and interpersonal relationships among family members across several generations. They identify significant events in intergenerational relationships that can have an influence on families and individuals.

Drawing the Genogram

The basic skeleton of a genogram

Basic Symbols

Symbols of Relationships

Symbols: Marital and other Relationships

Symbols of Multiple Marriages

Generational Relationships

A more complex skeleton

Identifying information Names Nicknames Birth date Marriage dates Divorce dates Separation dates Sibling position (birth

order—include siblings who died)

Family comparisons

Personal characteristics or characterizations

Occupations and job histories

Illnesses Hobbies and other

interests Death date (if

appropriate) and cause of death

Ask relationship questions like… Who was close to whom? Who had a conflictual relationship? Who was left out? By whom? Who was a favorite? Whose? Where were the alliances, coalitions? Who was overfunctioning or

underfunctioning?

Genogram with information

Symbols of Family Relationships

Genogram with relationship lines

Creating a Chronology

A chronology is a list of major events experienced by a family. These events are both positive and negative.

Describe your family processes by answering questions like those asked in the Family Analysis activity at:

http://www.indiana.edu/~hperf258/activities/analysis.html

Draw your own: In your small group, draw a simple

genogram and a minimum of 5 event chronology and discuss them. Are there any patterns that you can identify? Does anyone stand out in your mind as a

unique character (e.g., hero or villain)? In what ways would like to be a transitional

character (change things in your family?) Are there patterns you would prefer to keep?

Article facilitation Discuss article #49, “Breaking Free of the

Family Tree” Do you see anything from the article you can

add in doing your own geongram?

Thoughts on Lecture Material Give one value to doing a genogram for

one’s family. Why do you think it is important to

understand generational processes? Give this to your discussion leader.