Cultural family dynamics differences
Cultural differences within family setups means that people in different cultures have fundamentally different constructs of the self and others. For more family group based societies such eastern cultures be it Indian families, Arabian families, Asian families, the self is defined relative to others. In other words there is a cultural concern with belongingness, dependency, empathy, and reciprocity, and is focused on family inter-connectedness. Family relations and extended family is emphasized, while personal autonomy, space and privacy are considered secondary.
So it when it comes to the application of western counselling, psychotherapy, that are primarily focused on dynamic models such as the ego structure and individuals, therefore, becomes challenging in the Eastern, such as Indian, Arabic, Asian collectivistic context. Research has been conducted on this viewpoint that has been well discussed by Indian psychiatrists in the past, in1982, Varma expressed limitations to being able to apply Western type of counselling, psychotherapy especially within Eastern countries themselves. However, this same issue can be applied to Eastern cultural family backgrounds whom immigrated and reside in Western cultures. Future generations of those families are then at the crux of east and west cultural clash whilst growing up and experiencing mental health issues that could lead to anxiety, depression, being unheard, feeling invisible. These studies and cited dependence/interdependence which is typical of the ‘group’, family dynamic in Indian, Arabian, Asian family structures. patients with other family members as foremost of the seven difficulties in carrying out dynamic and individual oriented psychotherapy. Family dynamics, therefore, form important focus for change in collectivistic ‘group’ based cultural backgrounds and societies. Therefore, a counsellor working with a member from a family dynamic that is conditioned by their cultural roots is it helpful to work with a counsellor who has understanding of collectivistic family structures. These cultural roots could typically derive from backgrounds of Indian families, Arabic families or Asian family dynamics where that whole family construct, the collectivist mentality stems from ancestral lineage of the ‘group’ as opposed to the ‘individual’, this understanding at it’s core is an essential prerequisite for exploring such family dynamics in therapy.
The traditional Eastern cultural family background
Asian and Indian families are typically classically portrayed large, patriarchal, collectivistic, joint families. Traditionally and typically two or more generations can be seen as normal in the family household. These traditional dynamics are familiar within eastern cultural family backgrounds that form the oldest social institution that has survived through ages. Furthermore, these family structures can be quite an influence in the life of the individual family members. These family systems can be quite rooted and close, with focus on family integrity, family loyalty and unity sometimes these fundamentals can be at the expense of individual independence, choice of freedom and privacy or even personal space.
Females in culturally traditional family structures although encouraged to become educated and worldly would still typically be expected to leave the family home after getting married. Reiterating above points about lack of independence and growth as a fully functioning adult. Such family set ups are typically strictly hierarchical where expectation to cooperate with family members on decisions affect almost most aspects of life, these can include decisions on career and marriage. Sometimes female counterparts are expected to be subservient in meeting the needs of others. Indeed, each family member plays a ‘role’, a ‘part’ within the whole family set-up which paves the way of the meaning of family dynamics.
The life cycle chart of the family functions and its’ roles and responsibilities of different family members make up the family structure. When we drill down into different subsystems of the family, the relationships between family members can be identified. For example, this can show if relationships are conflictual, distant, or close. This understanding of systemic family therapy helps to understand the dynamics within family systems and the roles each of the family members within the family dynamic, with the influence of the cultural background.