Healthy Family Characteristics

 

Basic Family Member Rights

The right to good will from each other

The right to love, encouragement and emotional support

The right to be heard and to be responded to with courtesy

The right to have your own views and beliefs

The right to have your feelings and experience acknowledged as real

The right to live free from accusation, blame and criticism

The right to live free of emotional and physical threat

The right to live free of angry outbursts and rage

The right to be called by no name that devalues you

The right to be respectfully asked rather than ordered

The right to receive a sincere apology for any jokes found offensive

The right to clear and informative answers to questions that concern what is legitimately your business

 

Basic Family Member Responsibilities

To do one's fair, agreed upon chores, jobs and duties

To be respectful, cooperative and there for one another

To try, with good will, to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings

To communicate honestly and fully (with "I statements"), sharing your thoughts, feelings, wants, etc. without imposing ("you statements", "you are...", "you should...", etc.) judgments, demands or abuse

To be true to yourself and to support one another in growth

 

Traits of a Healthy Family

Each member communicates and listens

Each appreciates and supports one another

Each behaves with respect for one another

There is a sense of basic trust in the family

There is play and humor

There is a sense of shared responsibility

There are values of right and wrong

There are family rituals and traditions

There is a balance of interaction among members

There is a shared spiritual core

There is respect for each member's privacy and space

There are values of helpfulness, service and cooperation

There are family meals together, conversation and sharing

There is shared leisure and recreation

There is a willingness to admit problems and feelings and seek solutions