Lecture 11 FAS 370 1st EditionOutline of Last Lecture I. Generational InfluencesII. Generational AlliancesA. AllianceB. Cross-Generational AllianceC. Generational Alliance PrincipleIII. Generational TransmissionIV. ResearchV. Transitional CharacterA, DescriptionB. How to become a Transitional CharacterC. Additional infoOutline of Current LectureI. Descriptions of rituals, routines and traditionsA. Similarities between routines and ritualsB. Differences between routines and ritualsII. Purposes of rituals and routinesIII. Developmental Process of rituals and routinesIV. Managing rituals and routinesV. 4 Ways to destroy a family Current LectureI. Routines, Rituals and Traditions- Routines are things you do frequently- Rituals are special things you do- Traditions encompass routines and ritualsA. Similarities between rituals and routines- Both include more than one family member- Both have clearly recognized behavior or acts- Repetition is present in both form and content. (form-how something is done, content-what is done)- Exhibit morphostasis (the pull for sameness) and morphogenesis (the pull for change). Some family members like things done the ways they are and other members’ desire things to be done differently.B. Differences between routines and rituals- There is more emotion involved in a ritual- There is more symbolism involved in a ritual- Routines are ordinary while rituals are extraordinary- Rituals involve not just the ritual itself, but the preparations for before and after as well.**RITUALS AND ROUTINES ARE NOT RULES**- Rules define how things are done - Rules lack symbolism and emotion- Rules are beliefs while routines and rituals are events.II. Purposes of rituals and routines- Rituals help families achieve their goals. Ex. Goals of unity, intimacy, meaning, membership changes, etc.- They help us deal with challenges and changes that occur. (More details below)- They give us positive experiences and memoriesSpecific Goals of Rituals- Create healthy emotional links- Membership changes; rituals inform about people or events. They also help transition people into new areas of life. Ex. Bridal Showers help inform people of pregnancy and help prepare for the baby in resources and in knowledge. Also, weddings solidify a union between two people and help them be recognized as one instead of two.- Healing; funerals are useful in healing by putting what has happened into context. Serves a deep emotional purpose that allows people to begin moving on.- Rituals provide identity definitions as well as redefinitions. They influence how you think a certain thingought to be done and helps define who you are as a part of the ritual- They provide rite of passages Ex. Barmitsvahs , Quincinceras, etc.- Rituals give things meaning and purpose- They also give things order and predictabilityIII. Developmental Process of Routines and Rituals*Routines and rituals are created in 2 ways: culture, and family.- Rituals evolve gradually over time- They represent a formative stage in the family life cycle as they provide answers to active searches for meaning- Some rituals will go extinct and new ones will replace them. Ex. After marriage, a couple will no longer celebrate the day they started dating but rather the day they got marriedIV. Managing Rituals and Routines- Rituals and Routines can be healthy and unhealthy. There can be a routine of destructive behavior which is unhealthy- Moderate amounts of ritualization are the most beneficial because too much or too little can both be problematic- Distinctiveness/Separation from problems; if there is t a routine of alcoholism in the family, a new routine to separate the family from the problem could be alcohol free parties, rituals and routines.- Balance stability and change (Create a healthy flexibility; don’t be stuck in old ways)- Avoid misuse of rituals and routines, such as using them to control the behavior of others or hurt themV. 4 Ways to Destroy a Family*DISCONNECT THEM FROM RITUALS AND ROUTINES BY….1. Dismemberment-push people away2. Contention-associate rituals and routines with fighting3. Fragmentation-reinvent ritual to frequently4. Trivialization- materializes; commercialize rituals until they are no longer