Understanding what is important in healthy families is beneficial as healthy families help produce healthy individuals. Dysfunctional families are often the cause of problems in individuals, particularly in children. Even though the media often reports about the pervasiveness of dysfunctional families, there are still many healthy families in modern times who respect and accept each family member's differences.
Communication
Healthy families place importance on regular communication. One way to ensure this is by having family members eat together, as this provides at least one opportunity for all the members of a family to be able to talk about their day and share their lives with each other. Gathering for mealtime conversations can help families learn how to communicate and be involved in each others' lives.
Community
Healthy families have outside interests and friends and reach out to people outside their families for advice when needed. According to the Lower Mainland Assessment and Referral Service, healthy families value feeling part of a larger "whole," or wider community. This includes church communities and associations for new mothers or new fathers. Healthy families do not exist in isolation.
Commitment
Commitment is an essential aspect of healthy families. Commitment means that a family will stay together forever, even when hard times arise. Committed families benefit from the strong sense of belonging, trust and unity that results from each family member giving time and energy to the family every day. All the members of a family benefit from solving problems together and planning for the future, which provides families a sense of direction and purpose.
Healthy Conflict
Healthy families do not avoid conflicts. Rather, these types of families value expressing feelings of anger or frustration they have with other family members while still communicating love for these people. A parent, for example, might tell a child that he is disappointed with the child's behavior but that he still loves his child no matter what. Healthy families communicate honestly without a fear of rejection.
Tips for Creating a Healthy Family
The University of Florida offers suggestions for families who would like to take steps towards becoming healthier. Being kind and encouraging to each family member goes a long way in creating healthy families, as does being specific about what you need from each family member and sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences with your family members. The University of Florida suggests doing things to show you care, such as leaving encouraging notes in your child's lunchbox. Other tips for creating a healthier family include spending time outside, volunteering in the community and meditating or praying together.
