Define a dysfunctional family? I know I have one, give me the best answer.?

Answer 1

its all families... who the ***** is normal? lol... lets be real!

Answer 2

If you've ever watched, "Married With Children," or "The Simpsons," these are great examples of dysfunctional families.

Sometimes, at least one member in a dysfunctional family is an addict of some sort. Another member will be trying to hide that fact.

Sometimes people need to work so badly, that they have little time for their family members. This hurts the person working and tired just as much as the neglected people.

Answer 3

A family where each individual is looking out for only his or her best interests, at the expense of the health and feelings of others. A family should be a unit working together, not just a collection of people cohabitating. If each person chose to look out for the others as well as themselves, with only good intentions, the family would become less dysfunctional.

Answer 4

All families have a little bit of dysfunction in them. It is the people that we love who we like to hurt the most. I always tell me kids when they say I hate this family that we put the fun in dysfunctional

Answer 5

Ha! Most peoples' family life is dysfunctional on some level. More information might help to give you a better perspective.

Answer 6

Every family is dysfunctional

Answer 7

a dysfunctional family is one that doesn't function well together. i come from one so let me elaborate. they fight and argue with each other over stupid stuff..there's usually one sibling who always starts the strife over trifeling matters. then there's one who tries to keep the peace but eventually learns that it's impossible! then there's the one that lets everyone run over them and there's one who's bossy and wants to tell everyone what to do and then there's the bi polar ones who are fine one day and the next day they're angry at the world....shall i go on? basically it's a makeup of family that shouldn't be together. if it's more than you can handle you should remove yourself from it before it drags you down the sewer with it!

Answer 8

Dysfunctional Family:

My mom and sister sharing the same man...

My grandma raising my brother as my uncle, so my mother is his sister...

My father throwing away everything I owned on my 16th birthday...

My 6 year old male cousins running around with long blue hair...

My grandparents together for 23 years, divorced for 25 now living together again...

My uncle who spent 2 yrs in club fed...

My other uncle currently doing 17 yrs for manslaughter...

All of my cousins getting pregnant as teens...

My father throwing all of my, my husband's, and my children's property out of the house we leased from him into the yard for vandals to steal...

My mom who is a crack head...

My sister who is on her second pregnancy by a 2nd convicted child molester...

Guessing the race of my sister's fetus in utero...black, white, or mexican, she doesnt know...

Haven't spoken to my father in 3 years, other family members in 1 1/2...

We are the epitomy of dysfunctional...

Answer 9

The term "dysfunctional families" has been used and abused so much over the years that it is hard to define. In order to define a dysfunctional family, one must first know what a functional or healthy family is. While there is a lot of difference in what is normal for families, there are some common traits found in families that are considered to be healthy, and other traits found in families experiencing excessive stress which can lead to "dysfunctional" behavior. Without taking cultural, economic, or social consideration into account, the following information highlights some common traits of healthy families and warning signs that a family may be under too much stress and in danger of becoming "dysfunctional."

Characteristics of Healthy Families

The family is open to others from outside of the immediate family system.
They allow outsiders to enter the system and members are allowed to go outside of the system for help when needed.
Parents set clear generational boundaries. Parents assume the role of primary caregivers and children are secure in their role as siblings, children and individuals.
The family recognizes that stressful situations are inevitable and temporary. They recognize that stress can be positive if handled appropriately.
The family works together to minimize stress. They focus on their strengths as a family and as individuals.
The family works together to find solutions to problems. Their energy is focused on solutions, not blame.
Family members focus on what is controllable. They make the best of situations over which they have little or no control.
The family develops and revises rules to deal effectively with day to day life. When they are under stress they work together to revise existing rules and evaluate the results.
Family members recognize that decisions and routines are flexible. Rigid rules and expectations are challenged as a family.
Family members feel empowered as a result of effectively dealing with stress. They see challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks.
Family members recognize the difference between the symptoms of stress and the sources of the stress. They address the source of the stress.
Areas of Stress For Healthy Families

Finances
Dealing with children's behavior
Insufficient couple time
Lack of shared responsibility for household upkeep
Communicating with children
Insufficient time for self
Guilt for not accomplishing more
Couple/relationship issues
Insufficient family play time
Over-scheduled family calendar
Other Stressors in Dysfunctional Families

Parent/Child role reversal
Resentment toward the person with the problem
Blame primary caregiver for staying in the situation
Individuals may be prone to depression
Develop fear of becoming close to others
Fear of losing the primary caregiver
Learn to discount feelings and needs
Irrational belief systems
Multiple unresolved losses (real, symbolic or perceived)
Stages of Stress

"I can do and be everything." Built in failure and guilt
"I can't do and be everything." Self Acceptance
"I don't want to do and be everything." Choice
"I don't want to do anything." Burnout
Symptoms of Families Under Excessive Stress

Constant sense of urgency and hurry
Sense of tension underlying sharp words and misunderstandings
Mania to escape to your room, car, office, or anywhere
Feelings of frustration for not getting things done or caught up
Feeling that time is passing too quickly
Frequent desire to return to a simpler time of life
Little me or couple time
Pervasive sense of guilt for not being and doing everything to and for the people in your life
Transitions and Dynamics That Can Lead To Excessive Stress
One or More Persons in The Family Has Any of The Following or Has a Family History Of:

A Mental Illness
An Addiction To Legal or Illegal Drugs
Overly Rigid Religious Beliefs
An Abusive Spouse
An Abusive Parent
A Physical Disability
An Emotional or Behavioral Problem
Responsibility For an Aging Parent
An Infant/toddler
An Adolescent
An Adult Children Living at Home
Some of these situations may be temporary, yet without proper preparation, clear guidelines and teamwork can lead to severe strain on the primary caregiver, thus placing the family at risk for malfunctioning.

Answer 10

Any family with you in it.

Answer 11

My mother was a hooker . . is yours? I slept with my sister when I was twelve . . (to completion) . have you? Answer either of those with a yes & you got me beat. I think a no answer on either one will confirm that your family is fine.