Chapter 12 - Family Communication Patterns

Family Communication Patterns

Families have various ways of communicating, whether that be with high conversation or low conversation, and high conformity or low conformity. Depending on your families form of communicating determines its family communication pattern. According to Reflect & Relate, "conversation and conformity dimensions give rise to four possible family communication patterns: consensual, pluralistic, protective, and laissez-faire." 

My family's communication pattern is more protective. We experience low conversation with high conformity. I am often very busy with school and work, which makes it difficult to have a high conversation pattern. I try to call my mother on my way to work from school every day because I know it is important to her, but I sometimes forget, especially when I'm stressed. My mother sets a high conformity standard when it comes to religion. She feels as if we have to believe, or her babies are going to hell. She doesn't know I'm an atheist and I don't really plan on ever telling her, but I know when I have children of my own, that's going to be an issue. I can't really talk to her about it because I know it is not possible for her to accept it. We don't really enforce social norms and we never eat at the table together. I think the only aspect of conformity is through my mother in opinions and religion.