Third post

This week we learned about the 4 different theories of family relations. There is the exchange theory, symbolic interaction theory, conflict theory, and general interaction theory. While all of these theories are very interesting and fun to learn about, the one that I can relate with most is the exchange theory

I grew up in a rather dysfunctional home, especially for the average LDS family. While both my parents are alive and remain married to each other, they do not enjoy a happy nor healthy marriage. The effects of their terrible relationship has definitely been felt in the lives of their children (my sister and me). All throughout our childhood we had parents who were unhappy and constantly looking for things to argue about.

The effect that the exchange theory has had on my family is a deep one. My dear mother has the idea that every time she does something for someone that that specific person is going to owe her something down the road. She truly doesn't believe in just doing favors or kind deeds for people. That causes a lot of issues in her relationship with her husband when she doesn't think that he's doing enough for her as she is doing for him. Her same attitude exists in her relationships with her children. My sister and I have been able to handle it rather well, but my mother is not afraid to cut people out of her life if she thinks she is doing more for them than they are doing for her. I don't agree with her outlook on life, but that's another story for another time. I see where she comes from and the affects of the exchange theory in her life and in my own.