Fluent Essays

HSMF 603 Discussion Assignment Instructions Each reply must incorporate at least 2 citations in APA (Current ed.) format, with at least one from the required texts/manual. Any sources other than the textbook cited must have been published with the last five years. TEXTS or References Deal, R. L. (2012). Dating and the single parent. Bethany House Publishers. Hawkins, R. E. (1991). Strengthening marital intimacy: Elements in the process. Baker Book House. Liberty University Custom: Olsen & Olsen, (2019) PREPARE/ENRICH on Demand Promo Code (Custom ed.). Minneapolis, MN: Life Innovations, Inc. Digital media login info in my direct message to you Reply 1 Derek When looking at the family and couple map on Rick and Louann there are several things that can be applied to the couple.  On the couple map you can see that Rick comes in as very flexible and Louann is somewhat flexible.  In correlation to this both couples describe their relationship as somewhat connected.  Additionally, this points to Rick being able to adjust to ongoing issues and changes well.  With Louann, she falls into the flexible category here and this indicates that she fells decisions and leadership making choices are shared well within the relationship (Prepare/Enrich, 2019).  This factor for both couples show that they should be able to work through any changes made in the relationship without many drawbacks or frustration.    Moving on to the closeness category it is suggested that both Rick and Louann should guard against letting their relationship become too disconnected. Closeness focuses on how systems balance separateness versus togetherness. In the model’s balanced area of cohesion families are able to strike equilibrium moderating both separateness and togetherness. Individuals are able to be both independent from and connected to their families Prepare/Enrich, 2019).  Since both listed their relationship as somewhat connected both will need to guard this area with caution and make sure that the process does not move them further apart.  Rick and Louann according to the Couple Map should be able to utilize their closeness and together ness to accomplish many of the goals set forth from the Prepare/Enrich program for their relationship.   As we look at the family map, we get a glimpse of what type of family each grew up in.  Rick grew up in a family that was somewhat connected while Louann grew up in a family that was very connected.  Since they both also fall into the inflexible category this points to both not being open to change in leadership roles, family roles, and not being able to adjust to stress and may find problems in dealing with new issues (Prepare/Enrich, 2019).  The stress model suggests that negative aspects of marital relationships such as marital strain and marital dissolutions create stress and undermine well-being (Thomas et al., 2019) This can cause concern because low levels of flexibility(inflexible) tend to be problematic for individuals and relationship development in the long run (Prepare/Enrich, 2019).  Knowing this would allow us lay out a better plan to adjust in the relationship based on the experiences each have had in family and how they tend to handle those issues.  Better planning and better mapping will allow the relationship of Rick and Louann to move forward by navigating the areas that may cause problems in a more approachable method based on how they typically respond.     In closing marital benefits are contingent on marital quality with the greatest gains accruing to those with the happiest marriages (Brown and Wright, 2017).  In the case of Rick and Louann they are listed as having a happy marriage overall.  Rick and Louann can and will reap the benefits of marital happiness as they have the overall determination and work ethic to move the relationship further.  Looking at the couple and family maps Rick and Louann have the tools in place to make the relationship a great relationship.  By using the maps to use their couple strengths to fight the weaknesses Rick and Louann should be able to move forward.  Reply 2 Steven The facilitators report being discussed is the second, this is the report involving a couple by the names of Clive and Tessa. When examining the couples map in this report the first noticeable bit of information is that Clive and Tessa both scored the same on the chart. The couple scored very flexible on the flexibility portion, and both scored very connected in the closeness portion. What this type of score can mean is that this couple is likely to have good balance of closeness and separation, this can also mean that the couple may be able to handle each other individual pursues of activities or other interests (Olson, 2019). The text also suggests that couples with this level of shared flexibility often have good balance between stability and change, and can be more adaptive to ongoing issues, as well as sharing decisions (Olson, 2019). These sort of scores are promising and can be seen as couple strengths, every relationship has its ups and its downs, stressful situations are always going to arise whether it be internal or external and having a firm closeness and flexibility in one’s relationship might aid in resolving or reducing the issue.             The family map for Clive and Tessa has some obvious differences, Clive scored high on flexibility and high on closeness, while Tessa score low in flexibility and high in closeness. Starting with closeness the couple had the same score, this can indicate that each felt they were very connected to their family. This could suggest a healthy family environment in which the family valved its time together, this does not however suggest that the family did not make allowance for family members to seek personal independence from time to time (Olson, 2019).             Flexibility is the area in which Clive and Tessa did not receive similar score, Clive scored very flexible, while Tessa score was in the inflexible range. For Clive this suggest that he comes from a family that is open to change, with shared decision making and leadership roles, this family is aslo flexible in routines and will make adjustment when needed (Olson, 2019). For Tessa’s family these scores suggest a family that is not open to change and resist any changes in family routine, roles, and leadership. These types of families can find it hard to adjust to change and often experience more stress because of these sensibilities (Olson, 2019).            The facilitator for this couple may want to open a discussion for both the couple map and the family map, even though Clive and Tessa’s scores were the same in the couple’s map does not mean that it should be looked over. The facilitator may want to question the two about what is positive about their shared closeness and flexibility and inquire if there is anything either would like to change about their shared closeness and flexibility (Olson, 2019). The facilitator should also open a discussion about the family map, discussing closeness and flexibility with the intend to dive deeper into their experiences with their families. This line of questioning may give insight as to what experiences or events that caused these two to form their present relationships with their families, this could be a good opportunity to address what each would like to retain and dismiss from their family situations (Olson, 2019).