Families in the 21st Century:

An Application of Group Relations Concepts

Drawing upon Systems Theory, Developmental Theories and Group-as-a-Whole perspectives, the aim of this event is to apply Group Relations concepts in understanding some of the challenges that families face in the 21st century.

We will present ideas about the intersection of group relations theory and practice with families. We hope to generate hypotheses about the 21st century family and its impact on community and organizational life. Topics for presentation and discussion will include an exploration of shifting roles of leadership among fathers and mothers, multi-racial families, immigrant families and the application of group relations concepts to the field of family therapy. We will present case material which illustrates the many ways in which the overt and covert negotiation of boundaries, authority, roles and tasks in families are relevant to, and, informs organizational functioning, leadership, and group membership.

Symposium members will be invited/encouraged to join the discussion as their ability to contribute and participate moves them. The boundary manager will work toward insuring that adequate time and space is left open for Symposium members to explore their application of group relations thinking as it applies to families in their professional, leadership and personal experiences.